First Responders in King County applaud Crisis Care Centers
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections A Crisis Care Center is a place for people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis to go and receive urgent care. Funded by the voter-approved levy, anyone can walk into a Crisis Care Center 24/7 with or without insurance to get help and a path to recovery. Crisis Care Centers are also a place first responders can take people in crisis. Now, instead of going to jail or an overcrowded emergency room – which can often make things worse – first responders can easily transport a person to a… Read More
Therapeutic courts prove people can change their lives
Lane Shaw doesn’t take a moment for granted. “I am four years, six months, and 10 days clean,” he said to applause at the May 13 meeting of the King County Council. A 2023 King County Drug Diversion Court (KCDDC) graduate who now works as a KCDDC Peer Services Specialist, Shaw said prior to entering KCDDC, drugs and crime were all he knew. The resources, accountability, and support offered by therapeutic court helped him change his life. “Today I have my own house, my own cars,” he said. “I have a dog, you know?”… Read More
Celebration and support: DAJD’s Honor Guard reaches 25+ years of service
Crossposted from the DAJD newsletter Like their counterparts in other public safety agencies and the military, this tight-knit group provides official departmental representation at solemn events. They attend awards presentations, promotions, and retirements. Their job isn’t strictly ceremonial. Honor Guard members are often called upon to be there for peers and family members at the most difficult times. They stand by after coworkers have passed and pay respects to peer agencies after line-of-duty deaths. Read more.
From extinction’s edge to a promising future: How King County and partners put Lake Sammamish kokanee on a path toward recovery
Seven years after a catastrophic decline in the number of adult kokanee salmon returning from Lake Sammamish put the native species on the brink of extinction, a partnership coordinated by King County is reporting a potential breakthrough for a sustainable recovery. Biologists reported that more than 8,300 adult kokanee salmon returned to their spawning grounds during the 2024-25 spawning run, a stunning improvement over the 2017-18 run when just 19 returned. It was the second-highest return since King County began monitoring in 1996. The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks… Read More
Healing with heart: CCFJC’s exceptional healthcare team
Crossposted from the DAJD newsletter Running a healthcare clinic at a juvenile detention center involves far more than providing medical care — it’s about creating a space where young people in crisis can heal, receive support, and begin to rebuild their lives. Read more.
Second 2025 Professional Development Scholarship launches Monday, June 2, 2025
The second application period for the 2025 Professional Development Scholarship Program opens June 2, 2025 – July 3, 2025, for training that begins in 2025. The Scholarship Program is a benefit offered as part of the 2025 Coalition Labor Agreement and is only open to employees represented by one of the unions in the Coalition. Applicants should visit the scholarship webpage to familiarize themselves with the application submission process, rating criteria, and frequently asked questions. Please check this webpage periodically as it is undergoing updates ahead of the scheduled launch. The Scholarship Program is designed to… 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
Kerry Wade receives Best-Run Government Leadership Excellence Award
For her commitment to enriching the lives of young people in King County and shaping programs and policies focused on children, Kerry Wade, Best Starts for Kids Community Partnership Manager, has been honored with the Best-Run Government Leadership Excellence Award – Individual Contributor. Her leadership helps ensure all children grow up happy, healthy, and thriving in their communities. 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 while inspiring others to… Read More
Steve Larsen receives 2024 Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award
King County Executive Shannon Braddock announced the winners of the 2024 Best-Run Government Awards on May 8, with eight King County employees, leaders, and teams recognized for their outstanding performance, leadership, and innovation. The awards’ highest honor, the 2024 Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award, was presented to Steve Larsen, Deputy Director of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD). The Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award is named for former Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett, the driving force behind Lean and continuous improvement for nine years at the County. It is presented to a senior county… Read More
Discount for June Seattle Symphony performances
Employees can take advantage of upcoming performances of “Haydn the Creation,” featuring the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Symphony Chorale, and three Soloists. Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $18. Learn more and purchase tickets at seattlesymphony.org and enter promo code GENESIS to unlock 50% off tickets at checkout. Pricing will adjust in your shopping cart. Limit 4 tickets per household. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
Employee News 