New Mental Health Access Guide available for King County employees
King County employees now have access to a new tool for navigating mental health resources. The King County Employee Mental Health Access Guide provides an easy-to-use, comprehensive overview of available programs, outlining services like mindfulness, counseling, psychiatric medication management, educational classes, and more. It clearly identifies which programs offer these resources and how to contact them, making it simpler than ever to find the right support. To download a copy of the Mental Health Access Guide, click here.
Tap your King County ID or ORCA card on transit
King County Metro has resumed fare inspection, which means that Fare Enforcement Officers will ask riders, including King County employees, for proof of payment. As a reminder, everyone—even riders with fully-subsidized transit benefits from an employer like King County—needs to tap their King County ID or use another payment method. As a reminder, King County employees can use their King County ID to travel anywhere, at any time, for free on transit. Tapping your card directly supports transit—and benefits you and Metro in other ways, too. For example, it lets Metro know how you… Read More
Second 2025 Professional Development Scholarship opens on Monday, June 2, 2025
The second application period for the 2025 Professional Development Scholarship Program opens on Monday, June 2, 2025, and runs until July 3, 2025. This opportunity is available for training that starts in 2025 and is exclusively for employees represented by a union in the 2025 Coalition Labor Agreement. This Scholarship Program is part of our commitment to Investing in YOU. It is to help eligible employees with the financial support needed for training, certificates, degrees, licenses, and certifications. Take the next step in your professional journey with King County! Visit the scholarship webpage to review the… Read More
Make sure your food vendor has a Public Health permit to avoid foodborne illness
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Summer is the perfect time to get outside and explore the 700+ incredible food trucks and other mobile food businesses serving cuisines from around the world to King County communities. Whether you’re buying a hot dog from a cart before a game or tacos from your favorite truck, we want you to be confident that the vendor is following proper food safety practices. The best way to protect yourself from foodborne illnesses when you’re eating out is to only buy food from businesses that have a food… Read More
Celebrating ‘Filipinotown’ addition to the Seattle Streetcar
Crossposted from Metro Matters On May 21, a new “Filipinotown” addition to the Seattle Streetcar First Hill Line Chinatown-International District vehicle design was officially unveiled. This new design highlights the important contributions of Filipino Americans to Seattle’s rich cultural tapestry. A celebration was held at SDOT’s Charles Street facility, bringing together community leaders, cultural advocates, and residents to participate in the meaningful milestone. Read more.
Distinguished community public health leader is King County’s new Health Officer
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Public Health – Seattle & King County is delighted to welcome Dr. Sandra J. Valenciano, a public health leader with both local and national experience in improving community health, as King County’s new Health Officer. Public Health Director Dr. Faisal Khan appointed Dr. Valenciano to serve as the department’s primary medical expert, provide leadership on scientific and medical matters that shape department policy and practice, and foster strong relationships with the healthcare community. Dr. Valenciano comes from DeKalb Public Health in metro Atlanta, Georgia, where she most… Read More
New law will strengthen statewide recycling, reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green King County’s longstanding leadership in recycling will become stronger through the recent passage of Washington’s Recycling Reform Act – a comprehensive law that modernizes the state’s recycling system and promises to slash waste while boosting recycling rates. At the center of the legislation is a policy approach called Extended Producer Responsibility, which requires manufacturers to take responsibility for the end of life of the packaging they produce. The law will provide sustainable funding for recycling services, increase recycling rates, and create consistency and transparency in recycling… Read More
Shuyi Hu awarded the 2024 Best-Run Government Leadership Excellence Award: People Leader
When a critical project to update King County’s court case management system faced a significant challenge, Shuyi Hu, Technology Division Director for the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) – Technology Services Division, stayed focused and kept the project moving. His determination, tenacity, innovative approach, and leadership skills contributed to Shuyi winning the 2024 Best-Run Government – Leadership Excellence Award – People Leader. The Best-Run Government Leadership Excellence Awards recognize individuals who have made significant and tangible leadership contributions to developing Executive branch values in others, improving workplace culture, and leading organizational change… Read More
Free admission to Emerald Downs on Sunday, June 22
King County employees can get free admission to King County Day at Emerald Downs on Sunday, June 22. Employees may attend for free on Sunday, June 22, by bringing their King County badge, displaying their King County email inbox on their phone, or displaying any other generally accepted proof of employment. Employees may bring up to five members of their family (six total free tickets). Tickets will be available for pick-up on Sunday, June 22, in front of the general admission gates from 1 to 4 p.m. Emerald Downs’ address is 2300 Ron… Read More
Take Trailhead Direct to hiking trails starting May 24
Crossposted from Metro Matters Break out your hiking boots and get ready to explore Mount Si and the Issaquah Alps. King County’s Trailhead Direct, the transit-to-trails service on summer weekends and holidays, returns on Saturday, May 24. Trailhead Direct, King County’s transit-to-trails service, begins its eighth season on Memorial Day weekend. Trailhead Direct is operated by King County Metro in partnership with King County Parks and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), with promotional support from Amazon. Trips to the Issaquah Alps and Mount Si trails will operate on weekends and holidays, starting Saturday,… Read More
Employee News 