King County employee Metro commuter van pilot: Four-month update
In October 2019, the Employee Transportation Program (ETP) launched a one-year pilot program offering 100% Metro Vanpool and Vanshare benefits to all King County employees. Since the launch, employees formed eight new vanpools and one vanshare. This pilot is an effort to decrease the drive-alone rate to King County worksites not served well by transit as well as provide all employees with an additional ORCA Passport fare-free mode to get to and from work. If the pilot program’s success continues through September, ETP plans to request that this benefit be a permanent transportation benefit for… Read More
Redmond Youth Court participants practice restorative justice
By Troy Brown, Communication Manager, King County District Court Editor’s note: This article only uses first names to protect the privacy of minors. Each time 16-year-old “Mary” (not her real name) steps behind the wheel, she likely will be a safer driver thanks to lessons she learned at her Redmond Youth Court hearing. Redmond Youth Court is a student-led organization that works with King County District Court to hear real cases of traffic citations issued to 16- and 17-year olds by Redmond Police within the City of Redmond, offering them an alternative to… Read More
Creating efficiencies through Supported Employment
King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to available jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County departments. The program allows each department to review its standard work practices utilizing Lean principles. A job coach is also available to help supported employees thrive in the workplace. Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager shares how meaningful this can be in several ways. “When creating opportunities to be more inclusive with our hiring we are also creating efficiencies and cost savings in departments,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to get… Read More
Leadership Series+ A Training accepting applications, deadlines to apply Jan. 24 and Feb. 12
The Office of Equity and Social Justice in partnership with Our BODHI Project presents the Leadership Series+ A Training on Belonging, Racial Equity, Co-liberation, and Health. This series is for King County employees leading efforts towards greater racial equity and social justice, and is rooted in Our BODHI Project’s Embodying Belonging and Co-liberation Frame. Participants will engage with expanding their racial equity and social justice analysis, deepening their purpose, and centering collective well being. Employees must be able to attend both dates in ONE of the cohorts. Both cohorts also require attendance at… Read More
MLK Jr.: ‘The time is always ripe to do right’
Crossposted from Metro Matters Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Seattle once, from Nov. 8 to Nov. 11, 1961. King was 32 at the time and had yet to deliver his iconic address during the March on Washington or write his powerful Letter from Birmingham Jail. Accounts from his time in King County, King’s “The American Dream” speech at Garfield High School includes lines that he would use two years later in his “I Have a Dream” speech. King also delivered some of his most powerful calls to action to Seattle audiences. The Seattle Times reported… Read More
Watch the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
King County employees turned out in force to honor our nation’s foremost human rights leader and our County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. The event was held Thursday, Jan. 16, from noon to 1 p.m. at Town Hall Seattle. The keynote speaker was john a. powell, Director of the Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California at Berkeley. Former King County Councilmember Larry Gossett was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. You can watch a video of the entire celebration by… Read More
Celebration follow-up, Jan. 21
As we will spark reflection and ideas at the MLK Celebration, employees are encouraged to continue the dialogue to deepen our equity, inclusion and belonging discussions and actions in work teams, departments, and communities. One opportunity to participate in facilitated follow-up conversations will be held at the King Street Center 8th floor conference center on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.. All King County employees are welcome. For more information, contact KKibet@kingcounty.gov.
On the Move: An MLK Day ESJ Festival, Jan. 30
Departments all over King County government are working hard to move our county forward, and closer to our Equity and Social Justice goals. Join us at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Festival to learn how we’re moving forward, and share what you are doing to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. When: Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Where: Chinook Building, 121/123 For more information, contact Brooke McConnaughey at BMcConnaughey@kingcounty.gov.
Navigating a loved one’s military deployment
When a member of the military is deployed, it is challenging not only for the service member, but also for family members, especially during the holidays. Providing support to individuals and their family members currently serving is a meaningful way to impact and uplift each employee and their wellbeing. “My wife, Stephanie, is a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and has been serving for 17 years. Her unit has been deployed since March of 2019 so it will be nearly a year before I see her again,” said Ariana Bostian-Kentes, Learning… Read More
Director John Diaz honors DAJD employees who are on active duty
DAJD Director John Diaz was inspired to speak out to acknowledge not only DAJD’s five employees who will be deployed over the holidays, but all County employees who currently serve in the National Guard or Reserve, and their families who support them.
Employee News 