How to help someone in a behavioral health crisis in King County
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections When we see someone experiencing a mental health, drug or alcohol related crisis in public, we want to help and often hear from residents and local businesses asking us who they can call. With summer and World Cup kicking off this week, we wanted to share some tips for locals to know from a training hosted earlier this month by the Department of Community and Human Services’ Dr. Matt Goldman and Kelly Tongg, LICSW. Tips to help someone in a crisis: Anyone can call or text 988 to help themselves or to… Read More
Local solutions to food insecurity
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Between the high cost of living and unprecedented cuts to federal food programs, many people in King County are struggling to put food on the table. In 2018-2022, 9.5% of all residents in King County reported that food they purchased sometimes or often did not last, and they did not have money to buy more. Food banks are having a hard time keeping up, and workers who help people find resources are overwhelmed by the growing number of people who need help. “This is a critical moment… Read More
Honoring World Refugee Day in King County, June 20
On World Refugee Day, RISE (Refugees and Immigrants Support & Empowerment) Employee Resource Group joins communities across King County, Washington State, the United States, and around the world in recognizing the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees. Established by the United Nations, World Refugee Day honors people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, violence, or disaster. It is a day to recognize their journeys, celebrate their achievements, and reaffirm our commitment to dignity, inclusion, and opportunity for all. Many King County residents and employees bring lived experiences as refugees… Read More
Summer heat safety: Burn ban takes effect June 22, fireworks prohibited in unincorporated King County
Crossposted from King County Local With warmer temperatures and a busy soccer summer in the forecast, King County is taking several steps to help remind the community the importance of fire safety. The National Weather Service is predicting above-average temperatures this summer. That will create drier conditions and increase the risk of fire. Given that forecast, Fire Marshal Eric Urban has issued a Stage 1 Burn Ban for unincorporated King County that will take effect Monday, June 22. And with the July 4th holiday in a couple of weeks, Urban also is reminding the community… Read More
One week left in Personnel Board election
Did you know that King County employees elect a representative to the Personnel Board? Tasked with hearing appeals of certain personnel actions, the Personnel Board consists of four appointed members and one elected member. Ballots were mailed earlier this month to all career-service King County employees. Ballots are due by June 23, so be sure to vote and get yours back in the mail as soon as possible! Ballots must be received by June 23. If you have questions about how to return your ballot, reach out to King County Elections at 206-296-1565 or Election.Services@kingcounty.gov. To learn… Read More
FMD leads tabletop exercises to keep employees safe
Crossposted from the DES Express The Facilities Management Division’s (FMD) Security Management Section (SMS) recently led two tabletop exercises at the King County Courthouse with participants from multiple county agencies, including the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the King County Council. The goal for these exercises was to equip participants with tools and knowledge to respond to a range of scenarios where an active aggressor or active shooter is present. For the Active Aggressor exercise, SMS walked through potential scenarios, like a county council meeting turning rowdy, to allow council staff to think… Read More
Executive Zahilay, Mayor Wilson thank Councils for confirming Dr. Sandra Valenciano as Public Health Director
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson celebrated the appointment this week of Dr. Sandra Valenciano as the new Director of Public Health – Seattle & King County. The current acting director, Dr. Valenciano was confirmed by both the Metropolitan King County Council and the Seattle City Council on Tuesday, June 9. “Community health and wellbeing are central to everything we do at King County, and Dr. Valenciano has the experience, expertise, and commitment to lead this critical department into the future,” said Executive Zahilay. “She is a well-known… Read More
Notice of upcoming KC Script Portal outage and new Self-Service Clerk’s Papers
The King County Clerk’s Office/Department of Judicial Administration will launch a new Self-Service Clerk’s Papers feature in the KC Script Portal on Monday, June 22, 2026. The KC Script Portal will be unavailable Thursday, June 18 at 5:30 p.m. through Sunday, June 21 at 6 p.m. A reminder that Friday, June 19 is a holiday, and the Superior Court will be closed. About the New Clerk’s Papers Self-Service feature This new online feature allows parties to designate documents and/or exhibits that need to be transmitted to an appellate court. Key benefits include: Parties can designate documents directly… Read More
Clicked a fake phishing link? Oops! You might be asked to complete additional cybersecurity training
During the FIFA World Cup 2026, King County employees may notice an increase in phishing‑awareness messages and simulation exercises over the next several weeks. “Phishing” is when scammers pose as trusted organizations and send fake emails, texts, or calls to trick people into sharing personal information or downloading harmful software. It continues to be one of the main ways attackers gain access to systems, steal credentials, or spread malware — and major events like the World Cup often lead to a spike in these attempts. Here’s how you can protect King County… Read More
DCHS shares new data showing strong housing stability and improved health outcomes for residents
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) today announced the release of updated data to the Health Through Housing (HTH) Annual Reporting Dashboard. For the fourth consecutive year since the dashboard’s launch, data shows strong outcomes for Health Through Housing residents, providing further evidence that permanent supportive housing delivers positive outcomes for people exiting chronic homelessness. The updated dashboard highlights significant improvements in housing stability, health outcomes, and criminal legal system involvement among residents living in Health Through Housing sites across King County. Read more.
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