COVID-19 vaccine update
A message from King County Executive Dow Constantine King County is working hard to rapidly vaccinate the 1.8 million adults who live in our region, starting with those at highest risk, with a goal of reaching 70%, or 1.26 million people, by the end of summer. Under the state guidelines, the following populations are eligible for vaccination: Phase 1a Tier 1: Long-term care facility residents and staff Tier 2: All other workers at risk in health care settings, including home care and home health Phase 1b Tier 1: All people 65 years… Read More
DAJD Managers Give Their Thoughts On Anti-racism Workshops
Crossposted from Roll Call: the DAJD newsletter January 2021 Managers and supervisors at the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) attended pro-equity workshops in December. Anita Whitfield, King County’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, led the virtual sessions. There’s more to come: DAJD is making equity and social justice literacy a core competency for all department leaders. “The goal of the workshop was to begin the conversation and was designed to set the stage for leadership to recognize and interrupt counterproductive behavior while supporting those who are harmed,” according to Angela… Read More
Recording meetings and calls in Teams is available once again!
As King County completes the change from Skype to Teams, we want to remind users of our general County policies for recording meetings and calls. Here are a few things we need everyone to be aware of: First, we’re a two-party consent state. What does that mean? It means the person making a recording must tell others he or she is doing so. Just as in Skype, when you’re on a computer and a meeting or a call is being recorded, a banner will appear across the top of your meeting window. Look for it! If you’re calling into… Read More
Cmdr. Corinna Hyatt retires after 30-plus years at DAJD
Crossposted from Roll Call: the DAJD newsletter January 2021 Corinna Hyatt first set foot inside the King County Correctional Facility as a volunteer. In the late 1980s, her full-time job was at the downtown Seattle YMCA. After a few months helping inmates with physical fitness, a jail supervisor suggested she apply for a corrections job. More than 31 years later, she retired – as leader of DAJD’s COVID-19 Incident Command and the recently departed MRJC facility Commander. At a low-key going-away ceremony in December, Director John Diaz called her “one of the… Read More
Executive Constantine outlines top priorities for 2021
King County Executive Dow Constantine has shared the top priorities he is focused on in 2021 and beyond. “While 2021 has begun with new challenges, it is crucial that we continue to push ahead with our priorities and solutions with a sense of renewed urgency and action,” Executive Constantine said. “I am proud of everything we have accomplished together, and I am excited about what’s possible and what’s needed on our path ahead.” Executive Constantine listed his top priorities as: Health through Housing COVID-19 Response & Vaccination COVID-19 Recovery Anti-racism and pro-equity… Read More
Update your life insurance beneficiaries
Life and disability insurance are important to those who depend on you for financial security. Survivor benefits provide financial assistance in your absence. It’s important to review and keep your beneficiaries up to date for the life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage you have through King County. By designating a beneficiary, you ensure the person of your choice receives the proceeds. If you have not designated beneficiaries, you will be receiving two emails and a home mailer from the life and AD&D insurance plan manager, Securian Financial, the parent company… Read More
A roadmap for Clean Water Healthy Habitat
A major milestone is in the books for Clean Water Healthy Habitat, King County Executive Dow Constantine’s environmental initiative launched in September 2019 to better align the outstanding work we do throughout King County government to achieve better results faster for all living things in King County. Executive Constantine last month announced completion of the Clean Water Healthy Habitat Strategic Plan (SharePoint link), saying it was shaped by expert employee advice that strengthened the strategic plan and turned an aspirational concept into a roadmap with clear direction and measurable goals. “I am… Read More
COVID-19 Child Care Reimbursement Program now available
A new temporary program will provide $500 to $5,000 tax-free to those in the Regular Employee Benefits Group to reimburse them for child care provided during the 2020/2021 school year. The COVID-19 Child Care Reimbursement Program was created by King County management and unions in the Joint Labor Management Insurance Committee (JLMIC) in response to the overwhelming impacts of COVID-19 on working parents. It is funded with $9M from the Protected Fund Reserve of the JLMIC. Who can participate? If you are enrolled in the Regular Employee Benefits Plan, you can be… Read More
Panel discussion on understanding ableism, Jan. 21
The King County Disability Consortium is hosting an online community discussion on ableism, the intersection of racism and disability, and where there is still work to do. Understanding Ableism: Nothing About Us, Without Us is an informative panel discussion on how people with disabilities/disabled people define ableism and how it shows up in their own lives. The panel will also discuss the intersection of disability and other marginalized identities, especially race, other people’s role in combating ableism, how disability justice meshes with other civil rights issues and ways we can all support… Read More
Please join me today, Jan. 14, for MLK Day Celebration
Dear fellow King County employee, I am writing to invite you to the 2021 King County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration today, Thursday, Jan. 14, from noon to 1 p.m. While public health guidance won’t allow us to gather in person this year, I, along with the MLK Celebration Planning Committee, the Black/African Affinity Group, the Native American Leadership Council, and Council Chair Claudia Balducci, are hoping that you will join us to honor the life and legacy of our County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s event comes… Read More
Employee News 