May is Mental Health Month
A message from Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer May is Mental Health Month and as we have seen year over year, mental health continues to be a growing concern in our county and communities. More than half of American adults will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. We are seeing a growing concern over children’s mental health as well. Many of us, including me, have been impacted by mental illness, either personally or with someone we are close to. The last thing I want is for… Read More
How the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency impacts your employee medical and pharmacy benefits
During the COVID-19 National Emergency and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, some benefit coverages expanded temporarily to make it easier for employees to receive care. These emergencies officially end on May 11, 2023, and many of the expanded benefits will return to normal coverage levels and regular deductibles, copays, and coinsurance will apply. Items that will no longer be covered Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests will no longer be covered and will be an out-of-pocket expense. Medical benefits that are going back to “normal” COVID-19 PCR lab tests will be covered when ordered by an… Read More
May is Bike Everywhere Month
Yes, everywhere and anywhere. To work, grocery shopping, getting kids to school, your pickleball court, places you’ve been meaning to go. Get even farther when you use a bike to get to your bus, train or boat. Form a team, join a team on LovetoRide Challenge or cajole your coworkers, neighbors, family members, friends – or yourself. It’s not all hard-core. Earn points for being a new participant, most rides, miles, different kinds of trips, encouraging others, or rides with kids. King County’s teams have been among the most active in the past. If… Read More
Join the King County Ragnar Northwest Passage Relay team
Following the success with a King County team in the annual Ragnar Northwest Passage Relay from Blaine to Langley, the team wants to gauge interest in adding a second King County team of runners this year. The race is July 14-15; a team is 12 runners in two vans, each taking on three legs. There is still time to register another team by the May 11 deadline, so reach out if you’re interested by emailing Seth Watson.
One million trees — and counting!
Cross posted from King County Parks King County set an ambitious five-year goal in our 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan to plant, protect, and prepare a combined three million trees by the end of 2025. This effort helps mitigate climate change, improves forest health and salmon habitat, and increases tree canopy. As of January 2023, over one million trees have been planted, protected, and prepared. This includes: Planting more than 200,000 trees Protecting 615,000 trees (more than 2,000 acres of forests and natural areas) Preparing and restoring 200,000 trees (more than 650… Read More
New Capitol Hill Health through Housing building announced
King County Executive Dow Constantine and City of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the operators for the newest Health Through Housing building — a 35-unit building providing permanent supportive housing in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. The building will be jointly operated by Lavender Rights Project and Chief Seattle Club and is expected to welcome residents this fall. Read more.
Moving forward together: Meet Metro’s Tyler Jenicek
The many years as a skateboarder on an extreme sports touring group helps Tyler Jenicek’s (he/him) ability to serve King County residents with a higher level of mobility needs and supports. “Maybe it starts out a little slow and they’re a little scared. But then something about when they roll off their first curb or they go down their first bank or they drop in for the first time on a halfpipe, it’s like that’s kind of the adrenaline and the excitement that somehow tends to pull people in that you wouldn’t… Read More
KCSO Bomb Disposal Unit participates in community outreach
From the Sheriff’s newsletter The King County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) conducts community outreach as an important part of their work. This outreach provides support for Citizen’s Academy courses, educational support for schools, and inspires and uplifts youth programs in the field of robotics. Last month, Bomb Technicians David Mendez, Jeremy Todd, and JD Williams assisted the Tahoma School District and City of Maple Valley by providing presentations and robot demonstrations. Deputies Mendez and Todd participated in the Tahoma School District Science Fair at Tahoma High School. The science fair… Read More
Earth Day is brighter at Metro this year
Cross-posted from Metro Matters Metro has undertaken a wide range of actions to meet the challenge of climate change in the Puget Sound region. The most visible investment is seen in the buses as part of the commitment to a zero-emissions fleet — but that is only one part of the many initiatives happening across the agency. Another example is the recent transition to high-efficient LEDs at all Metro worksites. This undertaking involved the evaluation of over 26,000 bulbs of varying types and the replacement of older and inefficient light fixtures to LEDs. Read… Read More
West Point Treatment Plant laying the foundation for climate change resilience
Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories Crews are working around the clock to quickly stand up the power system that will provide reliable power to clean wastewater at West Point, the region’s largest treatment plant. This project will make the treatment system more resilient to climate impacts as the region experiences more frequent, severe storms that can cause momentary voltage sags, and prevent emergency bypasses of wastewater to the Puget Sound. Read more and watch the video.
Employee News 