Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention protective measures reduce Omicron outbreak and ensure safety

In response to recent COVID-19 impacts stemming from the Omicron surge, the Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention has prioritized key actions related to the health and safety of employees and people in custody by continuing to maintain modified visitation polices, booking restrictions, and PPE requirements that have been in place since early in the pandemic. See the full news release here.

King County receives Crown Communities Award

American City & County has presented King County with the 2021 Crown Communities Award in recognition for efforts in the fight against COVID-19. This award is testament to the hard work and dedicated service of the employees, community partners and the people of King County. Click here to read the full story.

Youth-produced videos about importance of vaccines for children and young people

King County’s COVID-19 and Health Equity Training and Capacity Building Program works with young people to educate their peers and parents / guardians about COVID and the COVID Vaccine. Magdalene and Yuhaniz are two young people who have worked with PHSKC for seven years doing peer and near-to-peer education on vaccines. They created and produced the following social media videos to support this work with an online strategy that connects well with young people and parents. Watch the videos below to learn more and share on your own social media networks if… Read More

Wastewater could be a great career for you

Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories Wastewater operators watch over large and complex industrial equipment and the flows going through them – from both on-the-ground and from computer monitoring systems. They check readings and take water samples to make sure things are running smoothly – troubleshooting when necessary. They often work as part of a crew, as well as with a larger team. Good operators are hard to find – and desperately needed. They don’t need a college degree or any experience in wastewater, and King County offers an on-the-job training program. Read more here about this… Read More

Honoring Transit Equity Day

Cross-posted from Metro Matters Metro recently recognized the birthday of civil rights hero Rosa Parks. Her quiet act of defiance – refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to a white man in 1955 – is one of the iconic moments in the breaking down of segregation in the south and throughout America. It led to the Montgomery bus boycott, directed by a young pastor, Martin Luther King, Jr. Read more about Transit Equity Day here.

At the Clothing Shop, youth and their families pick out new looks — for free

Cross-posted from King County Superior Court The Clothing Shop is a resource for youth and their families who are involved with the juvenile justice system, as well as any youth in need. The Clothing Shop is set up like a boutique. Garments are hung by style, size and color. The only difference is all the merchandise is free. Young people who need an outfit for a job interview, or to go to court, or even just freshen up their wardrobe can come in and pick out what they want. Click here to read… Read More

King County Deferred Compensation Board seeks employee representative

The King County Employees Deferred Compensation Plan Board is seeking an applicant to fill an open position on the Board. The position is open to current King County employees who are participating in the Employees Deferred Compensation Plan. The term for this position is three years and runs through December 31, 2024. The plan is governed by a nine-member Board, including seven who are current employees and two who are retired. Board expereince is not required, but they Board is looking for a new member who has one or more of the… Read More

Health Hero Kanesa Monroe balances work and parenting in the pandemic

During Black History Month, Balanced You is excited to recognize our many talented Black employees in different bodies of work around the county. Health Hero, Kanesa Monroe, is a single mother and a LAN Administrator Journey with KCIT. In this video, she talks about working on the onboarding management system, while juggling being a mom and making sure her daughter gets the attention she needs. Click here to watch the video to learn more of Kanesa’s story and hear her advice to all parents who are working from home during the pandemic.

Black History Month Stories of Hope: Naisha Williams

The King County MLK Day Committee is sharing Stories of Hope first presented during the 2022 Martin Luther King Day celebration in honor of Black History Month. Watch this video to meet Naisha Williams, a Manager in Public Health working on the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Program, as she shares her story of hope.

Join King County’s ‘Stream Team,’ the environmental scientists who hunt for bugs to monitor the health of local watersheds

King County is tracking the health of local watersheds by deploying a small, elite team of young environmental scientists who capture and study bugs in local streams. Recruiting for the 2022 Stream Team roster begins soon. Each summer, the paid Environmental Aides put on boots and waders to bushwhack their way to 200 streams throughout the county to collect samples as part of an ongoing research project to track trends on water and habitat health. Cick here to watch a video to learn more about the program and how to apply.