King County employees launch Disability Affinity Group
The King County Disability Affinity Group hosted an official kick-off and held its first informational session on October 25. The launch of this new affinity group (aka employee resource group) is an important piece in furthering the County’s commitment to disability equity, and reaching our True North, “Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.” The Disability Affinity Group aims to serve the disability community through fellowship, by providing support, and in the co-creation of equitable policies, practices, and approaches – all in service to the disability community, including King County employees. The affinity group is supported by the Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ) and the Department of Community & Human Resources (DCHS). “We look forward to working in… Read More
Access Transportation broadens services in response to pandemic
Access Transportation is a transit service for eligible people with disabilities, taking them anywhere a Metro bus, Seattle streetcar, or Sound Transit light rail goes. Last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread and services across King County adjusted to the new reality of taking extra public health measures for safety and creating additional services supporting the community, Access took on extra responsibilities providing urgent assistance outside its normal sphere of responsibility. One of the first steps was to ensure the safety of the Access employees and those they service. On short notice,… Read More
Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day to celebrate the rich heritage, culture, contributions, and resilience of Indigenous people in our region and here at King County. Our region benefits tremendously from the generations of Native American people on whose land we currently live. There are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State, and King County is home to a thriving Native American population from Tribal nations across the country. We are on the unceded ancestral lands of the Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie, Puyallup, Tulalip, and Suquamish Tribes, and the Duwamish people. The legacy… Read More
Celebrating 2021 National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Every October, King County celebrates the many contributions made by people with disabilities, and how they strengthen our workforce, our communities, and our country. With this in mind, the King County Executive and King County Council jointly honored their contributions by proclaiming October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In the Oct. 5 virtually held King County Council meeting, Councilmember Dave Upthegrove and Councilmember Claudia Balducci shared reading of the proclamation, with each councilmember adding additional insights. The meeting can be viewed here. “Every person deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential,… Read More
KCLx 2021 art contest celebrates Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month
The King County Latinx Affinity Group (KCLx) is excited to kick off a variety of events and discussions that celebrate the colorful and eclectic heritage of Latinx identity. KCLx is curious to ask the Latinx community, “What does this identity mean to you?” To answer this question, KCLx is launching the “What does LATINX mean to you?” Art Contest. This contest is an opportunity for participants to showcase their unique interpretation of Latinx/o, Chicanx/o, and Hispanic identity. KCLx wants participants to answer the question “We all share common stories, such as culture, heritage,… Read More
Take our survey to help us improve on-demand, wheelchair accessible, for-hire transportation in Seattle and King County
The City of Seattle and King County are working to improve on-demand, wheelchair accessible for-hire transportation, which includes taxicab, flat-rate/for-hire, and transportation network company (or TNC, e.g., Uber and lift) services. The City and County are exploring ways to make it easier for those who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices to find and request on-demand trips, as part of a broader effort to make the local transportation system more equitable and accessible for all. Before implementing any program improvements or changes, we are conducting a survey of individuals who use wheelchairs… Read More
Executive proclamation for 2021 Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month and events
King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed the month beginning Sept. 15 “Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month” in King County. View the official proclamation here. National Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month is observed Sept. 15-Oct. 15 in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. This month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the long, important presence and contributions of Hispanic and Latino and Latina (Latinx) Americans. More than 62 million people of Latinx ancestry live in the United States, with almost 220,000 calling King County home. To commemorate the celebration, the King County Latinx Affinity Group (KCLx) in collaboration… Read More
2020 Innovation Award for Equity and Social Justice honorees
The King County Innovation Awards honor employees and teams whose projects, improvements, and ingenuity deliver exceptional, measurable results. This year’s Equity and Social Justice Award recipient is the Department of Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Community Mitigation and Recovery Team (CMR). These honorees consider challenges within their delivery of services to King County residents, and developed solutions that address important needs. They met each challenge in a creative and forward-thinking manner that reflects our True North values. The pandemic disproportionately affected communities that have been historically underserved. To mitigate the… Read More
The CFJC Youth Action Team is now accepting applications
The Children and Family Justice Center (CFJC) Youth Action Team is an opportunity for young people ages 14 thru 18, from a variety of backgrounds, to come together to find and share their voices as it relates to community resources, planning, and engagement. Who can apply? King county youth, ages 14 thru 18. No previous experience needed to be a member, only a willingness to get involved. Must possess a passion for taking an active approach to create a united community within King County. The Youth Action Team meets at the Child… Read More
Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month: Environmental Health Services hosts event with Chief Justice Gonzalez of the Washington State Supreme Court, Sept. 9
A few years ago, when Environmental Health Services (EHS) Program Manager Greg Wilson was asked to create a program that looked for the future workforce for Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC), he not only ran with it, but wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity. Today he serves as the Program Manager for the EHS Division’s Education Engagement Strategy Program. The Program focuses on providing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) opportunities for middle school to college-age students that include internships, work study, and job shadow opportunities. It also offers an… Read More
Employee News 