King County transitions COVID-19 testing sites to community partners
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider As announced earlier this month, Public Health – Seattle & King County is ending its operational oversight of itsTukwila, Federal Way and Auburn COVID-19 testing sites in the transition from COVID-19 emergency response to long-term prevention management. Community partners will take over operation of these three sites in June, following a brief closure during the transition process. These sites will continue to provide free tests regardless of immigration or insurance status. Click here for more details.
Innovation Award for Sustainability honorees
The Innovation Award for Sustainability goes to the Department of Natural Resources and Parks/Water and Land Resources Division – Lones Levee Setback and Floodplain Restoration Project. The 1,600-foot-long Lones Levee on the Green River had fallen into disrepair and no longer provides adequate protection from flooding and erosion. The Water and Land Resources Division worked with landowners and tribes to build a new, stronger levee that restored functional floodplains, improved salmon and native fish habitats, and supports forests and greenspace. Click here to learn more and watch the video of the presentation. Each… Read More
Celebrating Pride and the fight for equality
Dear fellow King County employee, Happy Pride Month! Every June we celebrate Pride and honor the fight for equality and equal rights for LGBTQ+ people that began in June of 1969 with the Stonewall Riots led by trans women of color. Pride is a time to recognize the accomplishments and many contributions of LGBTQ+ people to our communities here in King County and around the world, to our shared history and our shared future. It is a time to reflect on the adversities that LGBTQ+ people have faced throughout history and their… Read More
For Drug Court Month, one family shares a story of resilience
Dakota – Cody to his parents – spent more than five years on the streets and in places like Echo Glen, where juveniles are incarcerated. In March 2021, with advocacy from his defense attorney, Dakota transferred into King County Adult Drug Diversion Court on residential and other burglary charges. Thirteen months later, with his parents, defense attorney, and drug court team cheering him on, Dakota graduated from the program with his life remarkably transformed. Click here to read the full story.
Juneteenth an observed County holiday, June 20
King County government will observe Juneteenth as a new paid holiday for the first time this year, on Monday, June 20. Last year, King County Council passed two Ordinances and King County bargained Agreements for represented employees to establish Juneteenth (June 19) and Indigenous Peoples’ Day (second Monday in October) as paid holidays starting in 2022 for King County employees who are eligible for comprehensive leave benefits. Click here to read more.
King County experts have identified the best opportunities to restore salmon habitat, and access new federal investments
A three-year study conducted by King County scientists and engineers has identified the best stream locations to remove barriers that prevent salmon from swimming to high-quality habitat, putting the county in a strong position for new federal infrastructure investments. The field team of experts inspected more than 3,000 locations where habitat is possibly blocked by county-owned roads and trails. They ranked more than 700 of the identified barriers and determined that completing 50 restoration projects would restore access to at least half of the habitat that is currently blocked. Click here to watch… Read More
Innovation Award for Equity and Social Justice
The Innovation Award for Equity and Social Justice goes to the Department of Public Health/Environmental Health Services Division – Box Fan Filter Distribution Project. Wildfire smoke and COVID-19 pose a significant health risk for some people who may not be able to afford an air filtration unit in their home or business. The Environmental Health Services Division of Public Health joined with community partners to distribute low-cost kits of box fans and furnace filters to vulnerable and low-income residents. These kits proved highly effective in reducing indoor air pollution. Click here to read more… Read More
Honoring the fallen
On Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of each May, we honor the more than 1.2 million military personnel who have given their lives in service to our country. We pay tribute to those who bravely answered the call to protect and preserve freedom here at home and around the world. We take this time to also honor the families of those who did not come home. We owe a debt of gratitude to all who have served, and particularly to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. As a community, we must… Read More
2022 Employee Engagement Survey results
Dear fellow King County employee, In March 2022, two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, 8,300 employees shared their experiences of working at King County in the 2022 Employee Engagement Survey. Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. As we work to create a truly welcoming, supportive, and respectful workplace, your responses in the survey are central to realizing this goal. The last two years have been a period of unprecedented stress, uncertainty, and change. The pandemic has had a huge impact on so many aspects of our personal and… Read More
King County: Government 101
Girmay Zahilay, King County Councilmember District 2, recently made a video about the difference between city government and county government. It is a simple, straight-forward, and affable piece that helps break down how King County serves and represents residents in the wide variety of urban, suburban, rural, and unincorporated areas. It’s not required viewing for King County employees, but it is a good resource to share with friends, family, and strangers who might wonder how county government is different from city government. Click here to watch the video.
Employee News 