Pet of the Week: Addy 

Meet 2 ½ year-old, Labrador Retriever Addy!  She is a playful, loving puppy that truly can’t give or get too much affection.  Her favorite inside activities include belly rubs and sleeping with a paw against you.  Her favorite backyard activities include endless ball throwing, mastering the Kong toy and running.  Addy is extremely smart and needs to be in a home that will provide stimulation and training.  She will do well with an active family or an owner who is on the move and plans to incorporate her into activities.  She is… Read More

Featured Job: SMS Implementation Manager (Project Program Manager III) 

Salary: $93,250.56 – $112,732.88 Annually  Location: Seattle, WA  Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)  Department: MTD – Metro Transit  Job Number: 2020MC12091  Division: General Manager  Closing: 9/20/2020 11:59 PM Pacific  Learn more about this position or view all available positions. 

King County TV wins 12 government programming awards 

King County TV (KCTV) recently earned eight National Association of Telecommunication Officers and Advisors (NATOA) Government Programming Awards and won four Awards of Honor. These awards are similar to the Emmy Awards for government TV programming. The station earned 12 awards total, including one for Video Journalism and top honors for its profile of Family Treatment Court. In Category 24 – Public Health, KCTV won an Award of Distinction for “Should I get a flu shot? | Ask Public Health.” View the three-part series here, here, and here. In Category 27 – Profile of a City/County Dept. or Employee, KCTV won an Award of Excellence for “A family lost… Read More

A conversation on suicide awareness and prevention, September 22 

As we continue to navigate the pandemic and these unprecedented times, paying special attention to your mental health and the mental health of those you love is crucial. In honor of Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, King County employees are invited to join Balanced You for a virtual conversation featuring speakers from the Black / African community, LGBTQ community, Native American community, and others on Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 1-2:30 p.m.  There is no one-size-fits-all approach to preventing suicide and improving mental health. During this 90-minute panel discussion, attendees will learn strategies from… Read More

Schools preparing for a measured return to in-person learning 

Crossposted from Public Health Insider  King County’s K-12 schools are back in session. For most students, the 2020-2021 school year is starting remotely and Zoom is the new classroom. Even though the majority of the county’s school districts are teaching students remotely, they are also hard at work behind the scenes to be ready to provide in-person learning once COVID-19 transmission rates are lower.  At Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC), we are supporting schools and communities across the county as they prepare for in-school learning. Two crucial ways we are… Read More

September marks National Recovery Month: How to support friends and family in recovery 

Crossposted from Public Health Insider  September marks National Recovery Month, a time to acknowledge the gains made by those in recovery who have faced challenges from mental health or substance use disorders. Many of us have faced these challenges ourselves or know a close friend or family member who has. This year poses even more challenges, from COVID-19 to wildfire smoke, that can make us feel even more isolated.  For Public Health – Seattle & King County, it is a time to acknowledge the dedication of service providers and community members who make… Read More

My proposals for anti-racism and criminal legal system transformation in upcoming budget

Dear fellow King County employee, Today I announced a package of proposals that transforms the criminal legal system and funds ongoing work to confront racism as a public health crisis. There is increasing acknowledgement of the brutal reality of racism and bias throughout our society, and the imperative to be deliberate and steadfast in our commitment to anti-racism. That is why I joined with Public Health Director Patty Hayes in June to declare that racism is a public health crisis, and that all of King County government is committed to implementing a… Read More

Additional employees needed to volunteer at temporary redeployment at smoke shelter

Due to ongoing smoky conditions in our region, King County and the City of Seattle are extending the operation of the temporary wildfire smoke shelter in Seattle for persons experiencing homelessness through 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and there is an urgent need for employees to fill positions. If you are interested and approved to support this work please follow the steps at the bottom of this email. Please note, if your supervisor is not cc’d on your email, we will not be able to place you in a volunteer position. There is… Read More

Executive Constantine to highlight anti-racism and criminal legal system transformation in upcoming 2021-2022 King County budget

Today at 1:30 p.m., King County Executive Dow Constantine and other County leaders will outline key investments and reinventions in the criminal legal system, as well as funding priorities for anti-racism–pro-equity work that will be included in the 2021-2022 Proposed Budget to be transmitted to the King County Council. WHEN: Today, Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 1:30 p.m. WHERE: Livestreamed on Executive Constantine’s Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ExecutiveConstantine/

Why flu vaccine is more important during COVID-19 

Crossposted from Public Health Insider  Although we can’t predict exactly what will happen this fall and winter, flu will likely arrive while COVID-19 is still circulating, and that makes it even more important to get a flu vaccination. We asked Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, to explain why.  Why is it particularly important to get a flu vaccine this season?  Jeff Duchin: The prospect of our annual flu outbreak compounding COVID-19 during this fall and winter’s “respiratory virus” season is worrisome. Hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices are likely… Read More