King County celebrates refugee resettlement efforts in the region
Today, King County Deputy Executive April Putney, alongside the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the City of Redmond celebrated the short-term refugee resettlement program for individuals and families coming to the region and the nearly 800 new neighbors who benefitted from the program. Read more.
World Aids Day
Every year, on Dec. 1, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS. Four decades into the HIV response, inequalities still persist for the most basic services like testing, treatment, and even more so for new technologies. King County is committed to radically reducing new HIV infections through diagnosing, treating, preventing, and responding quickly to HIV outbreaks. Learn more about Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative through Public Health – Seattle &… Read More
Executive Constantine proclaims November as Native American Heritage Month
In recognition of the fact that we live and flourish on the lands and waterways of the Coast Salish peoples of Puget Sound, and that the impacts of systemic racism and colonization on Native Americans have created great harm, and to honor the many contributions that Native Americans have made in all aspects of our lives, King County Executive Dow Constantine proclaims November 2022 as Native American Heritage Month. Read the full proclamation below.
Indigenizing leadership, advocacy, and education
Throughout Native American Heritage Month, the Native American Leadership Council in partnership with the Office of Equity and Social Justice are bringing you videos in employee news featuring Indigenous and Native community members, King County employees, youth and elders on the movement to increase awareness of the diverse experiences, culture, stories of struggle and resilience within the Native community. In this video, we feature the youth and elders participating in the Urban Native Education Alliance’s (UNEA) Clear Sky program. UNEA represents an organization founded and maintained by the Native community in King… Read More
Community Conversation Series: Indigenous Voices, Truth and Movements Amplified
King County employees and Native American Leadership Council affinity group members come together for a conversation on what Indigenous Peoples Day means to them, and how we’re not meant to celebrate on just one day or celebrate Native American Heritage Month for just one month, but all year round and for a lifetime. Your colleagues Stacey McQuade (OESJ), Katherine Festa (NALC, DCHS) and Avreayl Jacobson (NALC, DCHS) joined host Ninona Boujrada (NALC, PH-SKC) to discuss the call to action to move from the performative to transformative change in the recognition of Indigenous… Read More
Thanking our local veterans for their service
Dear fellow King County employee, For more than a century, our nation has dedicated November 11 as the day to recognize the brave members of our country’s armed forces, past and present. They placed their own lives at risk to defend freedom here at home and around the world. Veterans Day is our opportunity to honor and thank them for their service. King County is home to 115,000 veterans of all ages. More than 1,200 of our King County colleagues are veterans, working alongside us in every department and every branch of… Read More
Disability Awareness Month: Mental Health Resources
October is Disability Awareness Month. Disability includes a broad spectrum of conditions that effect physical and mental health. If you are someone who lives with a mental health diagnosis and would like additional support, there are benefits and resources available to you. On the Balanced You blog, we are highlighting mental health accommodations, mental health support through your medical plan, and an opportunity for social connection. Read more.
Keeping courtrooms free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression
Cross-posted from King County Superior Court Judges across Washington are expressly prohibited from discriminating against someone because of their gender identity and gender expression, thanks to a rule change that went into effect Sept. 1. King County Superior Court Commissioner Jonathon Lack proposed the amendment to the Code of Judicial Conduct, which governs the behavior of judges in Washington. Read more.
Accessibility for All: Microsoft Office and Teams Settings
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and KCIT is taking a behind-the-scenes look at how our technology experts are improving accessibility for King County employees and residents. There are many ways you can support our King County colleagues and residents of all abilities. For example, using the accessibility settings in King County’s enterprise communication tools such as Microsoft Windows, Office 365, and Teams can enable everyone to easily collaborate. Visit KCIT’s new site that provides accessibility recommendations, organized by disability type: vision, hearing, neurodiversity, learning, mobility, and mental health.
King County Affinity Group celebrates National LGBTQ+ History Month by highlighting author Dr. Darcie Little Badger
This week, for National LGBTQ+ History Month, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group wants to celebrate Dr. Darcie Little Badger. Indigenous futurist Little Badger identifies as a queer, asexual Apache woman, and her book Elatsoe features an asexual Apache teen protagonist. Learn more about Little Badger and other LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history by visiting this calendar celebrating LGBTQ+ History. If you are interested in getting connected to the LGBTQ+ community at King County, consider reaching out to the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at LGBTQ@kingcounty.gov. Learn more about King County Affinity groups at www.kingcounty.gov/AffinityGroups.
Employee News 