Executive connects with youth at King County youth detention facility
Last Friday, Executive Zahilay visited the youth detention facility at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center alongside staff, to connect with youth through basketball, conversation, and arts activities. A powerful portion of the visit included a musical performance by a young man who was aging out of the facility and preparing to transition to adult custody. The visit reflects the Executive’s commitment to staying connected to young people in county custody and building systems that prioritize rehabilitation, so that the hardest moments in a young person’s life do… Read More
Executive Zahilay Transmits $394 Million Supplemental Budget to King County Council
Today King County Executive Girmay Zahilay transmitted a $394 million supplemental budget to the King County Council. This proposal will amend the 2026-2027 budget adopted in November. The package responds to urgent community needs and advances the administration’s priorities including keeping residents safe, expanding access to affordable housing and critical services, strengthening county infrastructure, and building a more accountable and efficient county government. “Every dollar in this budget is a commitment to the people of King County,” said Executive Zahilay. “From keeping our communities safe during a historic World Cup, to making sure families have a roof over their head, to standing with our immigrant and refugee neighbors who… Read More
Executive announces new Executive Order to break the cycle of homelessness, addiction, and incarceration
Good afternoon team, This morning, I hosted a press conference to announce a new Executive Order to address the interconnected crises of homelessness, substance use disorder, untreated behavioral health needs, and repeated involvement in the criminal legal system impacting the health and safety of communities throughout King County. Breaking the cycles of homelessness, behavioral health needs, addiction, repeated legal system involvement are distinct and deeply intertwined activities. We cannot address the full scope of the homelessness crisis without addressing behavioral health and addiction. And we cannot effectively do any of that without bringing people inside and staying inside while they receive the supports they need to recover and re-enter our community. Too often,… Read More
Executive Zahilay celebrates Women’s History Month
Women’s history is made every day in King County. As a husband and a father to two daughters, I am reminded daily of my responsibility to help build a world that uplifts and empowers women and girls. We recognize March as Women’s History Month, and I want to take this opportunity to celebrate women leaders across our county, highlighting their extraordinary contributions to our work, our communities, and our shared history. My cabinet is shaped by women who embody strong leadership and public service for their teams and our communities. Read more. Pictured:… Read More
Executive officially proclaimed March 24 as Nowruz
This March, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay recognized Nowruz, the Persian New Year, celebrated for over 3,000 years by more than 300 million people worldwide. Meaning “new day,” Nowruz marks the arrival of spring and a time of renewal, hope, and fresh beginnings. On March 24, the official Nowruz proclamation was presented to Refugees & Immigrants Support & Empowerment (RISE) Affinity Group leadership by Jasmin Weaver, Chief of Staff to the King County Executive, and Megan Pedersen, Chief People Officer, highlighting the County’s commitment to recognizing and uplifting immigrant and refugee communities. Traditions such as gathering… Read More
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Appoint Dr. Sandra Valenciano to Lead Public Health – Seattle and King County
Crossposted from Public Health Insider On Wednesday, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson appointed Dr. Sandra Valenciano to serve as the Director of Public Health – Seattle and King County. Dr. Valenciano currently serves as Acting Director for the department. Pending confirmation by both the Metropolitan King County Council and Seattle City Council, Dr. Valenciano will advance the department’s work to protect and promote the health and well-being of more than two million residents. The department works across a wide range of areas focusing on preventing illness and… Read More
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay Appoints Dr. Susan McLaughlin to Lead King County Department of Community and Human Services
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay recently appointed Dr. Susan McLaughlin to serve as the Director of the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). Dr. McLaughlin currently serves as the department’s Acting Director. Dr. McLaughlin will lead the department tasked with providing affordable homes for people experiencing homelessness, coordinating publicly funded mental health and substance use disorder treatment, promoting youth mental health, stabilizing immigrant and refugees in the region, supporting residents who have intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate fully in community life, and strengthening the human services workforce. “Dr. Susan McLaughlin is a thoughtful leader who… Read More
Executive Zahilay shares February video update
Out in the field. Listening. Learning. Taking action. From meeting youth and healthcare workers to expanding transit and supporting flood response. Last month was all about showing up for our communities and building a stronger King County together. Click the video below for Executive Zahilay’s latest Executive Update!
DCHS strengthens oversight and accountability with new policies and improvements
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections By Dr. Susan McLaughlin, Acting Director of DCHS In 2020, the department’s priority was clear: Get resources to the community quickly and provide relief throughout the health emergency and into recovery. The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) moved fast to deliver critical funding—from rental assistance to isolation and quarantine facilities—across the region when it mattered most. DCHS expanded partnerships with smaller, community-based organizations—trusted groups with deep roots in the neighborhoods they serve and a proven ability to connect people to the services they need. Read more.
Executive Zahilay commits to regional collaboration and problem-solving in the face of Sound Transit’s long-term fiscal challenges
Recently, King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Member Girmay Zahilay released the following statement on the Sound Transit’s Board of Director’s retreat and conversations about the Enterprise Initiative. The Enterprise Initiative is an agencywide effort to ensure that project delivery and operations are affordable going forward while delivering on the objectives of the voter-approved Sound Transit 3 (ST3) plan. Sound Transit currently faces a $34.5 billion shortfall over the next 20 years. Read more.
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