Cross-posted from Keeping King County Green This past Mother’s Day, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) families and supporters raised funds for their schools and Hmong flower farming families. Seattle moms enjoyed locally grown floral bouquets expertly grown and handcrafted by Hmong farmers, who have been an iconic part of King County’s agriculture scene for over three decades. Friendly Hmong Farms (FHF) organized the SPS Mother’s Day Weekend Fundraiser, bringing together Hmong farmers and volunteers to sell over 400 bouquets. Over $10,000 in flower sales were made by local farmers and an additional $8,000 was… Read More

Cross-posted from Metro Matters Pride Month is a celebration of who you are, who you love, and being able to show up as your authentic self. King County Metro celebrates our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) and Two-Spirit family, friends, and colleagues. Metro celebrates their courage and commitment in advancing civil rights and equity. We celebrate with bright colors and joy, recognizing these communities have long been forcibly erased from history and pressured to hide in society. Read more.

King County government will observe Juneteenth as a paid holiday and most King County offices be closed on Monday, June 19. King County officially began observing Juneteenth (June 19) as a paid holiday in 2022 for King County employees who are eligible for comprehensive leave benefits. Due to the nature of county work, some services will continue as normal while others will operate on a reduced schedule. Metro will remain on regular weekday service. The establishment of Juneteenth as a holiday – in addition to Indigenous Peoples’ Day (second Monday in October) – reflects our… Read More

Cross-posted from Cultivating Connections In recognition of the contributions of older residents in our local communities, King County Excecutive Dow Constantine has proclaimed May 2023 as Older Americans Month. Executive Constantine encourages all residents to honor the important contributions that older adults of every race, class, and ethnic background make to the progress of our County and nation. Learn more and read the full proclamation here.

Cross-posted from Public Health Insider Con Confianza was envisioned as a community-led space where community members, community leaders and organizations could receive direct and accurate information about the COVID-19 virus. Since misinformation was directed at Latinos, Con Confianza y En Comunidad was the place to receive the latest data on the virus and resources such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and communication and technical support from the County. Read more about this effort and watch the video. 

From the King County Superior Courts The King County Council and the King County Executive have proclaimed May Treatment Court Month. This proclamation recognizes and celebrates the success of program participants. It also affirms the important role courts play in addressing problems at the intersection of public safety and public health. For three decades, King County’s treatment courts have helped people whose legal system involvement stems from substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders to transform their lives. Read more.

The King County Veterans and Military Affinity Group and King County Veteran’s Program would like to remind all County employees who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces that the Veteran’s Administration (VA) has launched a new appointment scheduler to connect you with VA Benefits Counselors. The Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA) is a streamlined scheduling process for in-person or online appointments to learn about your benefits and how to navigate the VA’s processes. This is a useful resource for those with questions about benefit eligibility, or in need of assistance filing… Read More

Several King County departments participated in last Friday’s Women in Trades Fair at Seattle Center. Hear from two Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) employees – operators Alyssa Moreno and Kylie Turner – about their experiences in their jobs and working at WTD. Follow King County on LinkedIn for news about fellow employees, job opportunities, county initiatives, and more.

2023 Seattle Pride Parade planning is underway. If you are a King County employee and want to be kept up to date on all things Pride Parade, send an email to Leah.Holland@kingcounty.gov with PRIDE INFO 2023 in the subject line. This year, t-shirt sales will be done completely online and mailed directly to you. The Parade route runs from downtown Seattle to Seattle Center on Sunday, June 25. More info will be sent out soon. Happy PRIDE!