Join us: Veteran diversity, equity and inclusion listening sessions 

Crossposted from  Cultivating Connections  Our King County Veterans Program, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA Puget Sound Health Care System) is hosting four listening sessions on diversity, equity and inclusion in veterans service systems. The listening sessions seek to learn and hear from veteran constituents (partners, employees and clients) to identify systemic bias and discrimination in veterans services in King County.  Please join us for a virtual conversation on:  Veteran Listening Sessions: Addressing Systemic Racism with Veteran Systems  Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 1:30 –… Read More

Lunch and Learn Sessions for Disability Awareness Month, October 7 and 21 

In celebration of October as National Disability Awareness Month, the Department of Human Resources is hosting two Lunch and Learn discussions that focus on Race and Disability, to be held via Zoom. We will begin our discussion with a short video and then an open dialogue facilitated by Workforce Equity Manager Gloria Ngezaho, and employees Jennifer Greenlee, Lili Stansberry and Christina Davidson. All King County employees are welcome to join.  Lunch and Learn, Wednesday, Oct. 7 from noon to 1 p.m. – Discussion on the intersection of Race and Disability  Lunch and Learn, Wednesday, Oct. 21… Read More

Celebrating Disability Awareness Month in King County

Dear fellow King County employee, Each October, we celebrate Disability Awareness Month in King County and the many contributions that people with disabilities make to our community. Every person deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential, share their unique abilities, and fully participate in everything that our region has to offer. Disability Awareness Month reminds us that we must continue to break down barriers to promote inclusion and expand opportunity for all people with disabilities. The global COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the urgency of this work. COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact… Read More

Executive proclamation for 2020 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 full proclamation here. To commemorate the celebration, the King County Latinx Affinity Group (KCLx) hosted a kick off celebration by hosting an informal panel discussion with the KCLx leadership committee. “During these difficult times, this is an opportunity for us to proudly share and celebrate our diverse Latinx culture with our colleagues, as well as come together with our King County familia for mutual support,” shared Melissa Arias, KCLx Membership Chair and Program Manager for the Department of Community and Human Services. KCLx is collaborating with Sound Transit Latinx… Read More

Leading with racial justice in King County 

Crossposted from Public Health Insider  On June 11, 2020, King County Executive, Dow Constantine, and Public Health Director, Patty Hayes, declared racism is a public health crisis. They heard the call-to-action from the community and have resolved to hold all of King County to a higher standard.  King County is committed to providing the resources needed to equitably address the damaging effects of racism and will do the necessary work, long-term, to create and affect tangible change.    Read more. 

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2020 

National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month is observed from 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.   A video to celebrate Latinx/Hispanic Heritage month was produced by Latino Northwest Communications in collaboration with Utopia Media and Entertainment and King County Metro, Sound Transit, and Seattle Department of Transportation and will be airing on Univision.  View the video in English below and in Spanish here. 

My proposals for anti-racism and criminal legal system transformation in upcoming budget

Dear fellow King County employee, Today I announced a package of proposals that transforms the criminal legal system and funds ongoing work to confront racism as a public health crisis. There is increasing acknowledgement of the brutal reality of racism and bias throughout our society, and the imperative to be deliberate and steadfast in our commitment to anti-racism. That is why I joined with Public Health Director Patty Hayes in June to declare that racism is a public health crisis, and that all of King County government is committed to implementing a… Read More

Mental Health resources for Black and Brown employees 

The combined impact of police violence, a pandemic disproportionately affecting People of Color, and centuries of systemic racism place undue stress on Black and Brown communities. Balanced You stands with Black Lives Matter and recognizes the resiliency and strength that lies within the Black and Brown communities. Balanced You also recognizes that, because you and your community are sacred, caring for your well-being is an act of resistance.  In the event that you are seeking additional support, we have partnered with the King County Black/African Affinity Group and Dr. Gloria Ngezaho, Workforce Equity… Read More

King County Celebrates Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15, 2020 

National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month is observed from 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. You are invited to participate in the many events hosted throughout the month by the King County Latinx Affinity Group (KCLx), Sound Transit Latinx in Transportation (LiT), and the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Latinx Caucus. The first event is a Kickoff for Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month: A Celebration by KCLx hosted on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from noon to 1… Read More

Join Balanced You for a Panel Discussion on Suicide Awareness and Prevention, September 22 

In honor of Suicide Awareness & Prevention Month, King County employees are invited to join Balanced You for a virtual panel discussion featuring speakers from the Native American community, LGBTQ community, Black/African community, and others. The event will provide an opportunity for King County employees to normalize the conversation around mental health, learn how to identify early warning signs of suicidal ideation, and learn more about resources available to support the mental health of employees and their loved ones. We hope you will join us for this important discussion.  Tuesday, Sept. 22,… Read More