King County invests $30 million to strengthen behavioral health workforce and increase access to services
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced an investment of $30 million in partnership with the five managed care organizations of the innovative King County Integrated Care Network, resulting in a 15 percent Medicaid rate increase to help stabilize the behavioral health system in the region. Investing in the behavioral health workforce is a key component of the Crisis Care Centers initiative and is central to King County’s efforts in addressing a crumbling behavioral health system and increasing access to services and treatment. The 15 percent Medicaid rate increase is applicable to all… Read More
EvergreenHealth may be out-of-network starting Sept. 1, 2023
If you are a member of the Regence KingCare PPO medical plan, and you see medical providers who are part of the EvergreenHealth network, please note the following information about their contract with Regence BlueShield. Leaders from Regence and EvergreenHealth are currently in extended contract negotiations. Both organizations are working to reach an agreement before their current contract ends Sept. 1. Here is what you need to know: Most provider-health plan contract negotiations are resolved with no service disruptions and no provider network changes. If an agreement between EvergreenHealth and Regence is… Read More
New requirement to report lump sum payments to the Division of Child Support
According to House Bill 1262, additional income reporting requirements became effective for Washington employers on July 23, 2023. Employers are now required to report lump sum payments of $500 or more to the Washington State Division of Child Support (DCS) before the lump sum is paid to the employee. This requirement applies to only those employees with a current WA Income Withholding Order that includes a payment for past-due child support. The reporting requirement applies to lump sum payments of $500 or more includes, but is not limited to: Retro pay, cash out of… Read More
Pacific Northwest Admin Awards Nominations Close Aug. 9
The third annual Pacific Northwest Admin Awards nomination period ends Aug. 9. Admin Awards is a nationally recognized public celebration of administrative excellence reserved for extraordinary Administrative Professionals. Click this link to submit a nomination. The nomination form includes the option of submitting nominations for the nine individual award categories and one company award category. Finalists and awardees will be announced during the Admin Awards Gala in September. Visit the Admin Awards website for more information.
Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month, May – June 2023
Crossposted from Metro Matters They are fitness enthusiasts and bicycle and motorcycle fans. Some always wanted to be behind the wheel, others came because they enjoy serving the public and getting people where they need to go. They are our “rolling ambassadors,” the kind, courteous and helpful smile that greets you every day when you ride with us. They represent over 150 years of driving experience. The operators who drive your bus are as unique as you, and all of them love driving and giving back to their community. Meet your Operators… Read More
CHOMP!, King County’s local food celebration, returns to Marymoor Park with tasty food, live music, sustainable workshops, and free family activities
CHOMP!, King County’s celebration of local food and sustainable living, returns Aug. 19 to Marymoor Park in Redmond with live music from Blind Boys of Alabama, plus a full day’s worth of free, fun activities for all ages. Activities will start at 10 a.m. and include a farmers market, local food vendors, tree climbing, NW Kung Fu lion dance, petting zoo, a fix-it fair, and scavenger hunt. Bring your gardening questions for Washington State University Master Gardener volunteers or make your own seed balls to take home. Read more in the full press release.
Ending the HIV epidemic: King County’s new Heroes Award
Crossposted from Public Health Insider In February 2019, the U.S. federal government announced the Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America (EHE) – with a goal to decrease new HIV infections in the U.S. by 75% by 2025 and 90% by 2030. The initiative aims to capitalize on scientific advances in HIV diagnosis, treatment, and prevention to accelerate national progress in controlling the now 40-year-old HIV epidemic. The plan directs resources to geographic areas in the U.S. with the largest number of new HIV diagnoses each year. King County is one of the 57 regions funded…. Read More
Metroadeo veteran Tammy Klein reclaims title
Crossposted from Metro Matters Our operators are the best when it comes to handling large vehicles in tight spaces, but how do you determine the “best of the best?” You hold a “Roadeo!!” In June, some of King County Metro’s top operators came to Metro’s South Base for our “Metroadeo,” the annual transit Olympics for some of Metro’s most skilled drivers. Operators maneuver their buses through left and right turns, passenger stops and tight spaces, taking care to adjust speeds and set up just right to perform each maneuver. It’s all scored… Read More
King County makes historic investment to tackle Racism as a Public Health Crisis with $25 million in grants to more than 120 small businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations
King County Executive Dow Constantine and fellow co-chairs of the Gathering Collaborative, Dr. Ben Danielson and Abigail Echo-Hawk, announced $25 million in grants awarded to 123 nonprofits, community organizations, and small businesses to advance the work of addressing racism as a public health crisis in the region. Since March 2022, King County and the co-chairs have met weekly with the Gathering Collaborative, a group of diverse and trusted community members, to co-create the grant program. The Collaborative is the result of reimagining a different grants process in partnership with Black and Indigenous communities, and to… Read More
King County Security Tips – Keep Devices and Software Up to Date
You know that little pop-up prompting you to restart your computer for a software update? The one that only seems to come up when you’re in the middle of something important? As annoying as it may seem, this notification is actually a valuable asset to your cybersecurity. So, before you click the “Later” option, let’s take a closer look! What is a software update? A software update is a new and improved version of a program, application, or operating system that you are already using. The update may include new features, bug… Read More
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