Executive Constantine proclaims June 19, 2024 as Juneteenth
King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed June 19, 2024 as Juneteenth in King County, stating that “Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and discrimination, and the promise of a brighter morning to come.” “Juneteenth is a time for celebration, prayer, and gathering of the community, and organizations have the common mission to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of Black history and culture,” he said in the Proclamation. “I urge all citizens to become aware of the significance of this celebration in Black History and in the heritage… Read More
New programs bring music, mentorship, and business skills to King County’s detained youth
By Christina Lorella Kuzu, Communications Specialist with the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention The end of May and early June marked the beginning of three new youth programs at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CCFJC) in King County, expanding services to youth in custody and allowing a plethora of additional opportunities for residents to spend time participating in group activities together with their peers. Cocreative Culture On Friday, May 18, Providence Kamana and Grady Mukanya of Cocreative Culture visited each of the units at CCFJC, presenting information… Read More
Words matter: Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Equitable Language Guide
It is important to make sure the way we talk and write fosters inclusivity, respect, and equity. In 2020, Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) recognized gaps in how they communicated with the people they serve. To resolve this issue, PHSKC revised their communication practices which included enhancing equity and inclusion through the words they used in messaging. What partially started as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, grew into a multi-year project that resulted in the launch of the Equitable Language Guide for PHSKC. The Equitable Language Guide is… Read More
Dependent eligibility verification audit begins June 18
King County and its labor partners are collaborating with our trusted vendor Mercer Consulting to conduct an eligibility verification of the dependents enrolled in our health plans. If you cover a family member on your King County medical, dental, or vision plan, you are required to verify the eligibility of each person by completing the process and providing documentation. On June 18, Mercer will send a mailed letter and an email with instructions and details explaining the process. Employees are required to review plan eligibility requirements and provide documentation supporting the eligibility… Read More
Recipient of BRG Innovation Award for Cost helped stabilize region’s behavioral healthcare system
A team comprised of employees from the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division, Finance and Compliance Services, and Performance Measurement and Evaluation in the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is the recipient of the 2023 Best-Run Government (BRG) Innovation Award for Cost. The award was one of eight announced by Executive Dow Constantine in a video. The Behavioral Health Medicaid Rate Increase Project Team was instrumental in increasing rates for behavioral health providers, who have been struggling to attract and retain staff at a time when the County seeks to increase access… Read More
Three things we did to make contracting more equitable
By Office of Equity and Community Partnerships, Public Health – Seattle & King County Sometimes systems that were intended to create fairness backfire. Organizations and vendors should have equal opportunity to bid for government contracts, so government agencies typically use Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in an attempt to open up contracting. But in reality, this process can add to disparity. For example, if you are a small organization or business, you probably don’t have dedicated staff who can easily respond to RFPs. Even for highly capable staff, it can be daunting and… Read More
Keeping KCCF orderly and fun: Ting Chou marks 25 years with King County
By Christina Lorella Kuzu, Communications Specialist with the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention You can find Ting Chou at the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) every Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, making sure officers and residents get what they need. From stocking supplies to fulfilling resident kites (a written request from a person in custody), his role as a records unit support clerk is important to jail operations. Ting also makes it his unofficial duty to guarantee that coworkers don’t take themselves too seriously. “We know when he’s… Read More
Discount tickets for the Taste Northwest
The Taste Northwest is back! King county employees can enjoy food, fun, and entertainment at discounted prices. Go to TheFair.com/Corporate, click ‘Buy Tickets Online’, then enter the access password: king24. Note: Enter your log in twice – once to access and once at check out. You will not see your discount until you enter the code at check out. The code is the same for each entry. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
Kelly Rider appointed Director of the Department of Community and Human Services
Executive Constantine has appointed Kelly Rider Director of the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). Since February, Kelly has served as Acting Director of DCHS and previously served as Chief of Staff, where she oversaw legislative efforts, policy development, strategic partnerships, and investments in our region. In her seven years with DCHS, Rider has built lasting relationships with human services providers and jurisdictions across King County, and helped advance key initiatives, including Health Through Housing and the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services levy, renewed for a fourth time last year. Read more.
King County adding Wilburton Trestle to Eastrail
A public-private partnership that includes Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, Amazon, the City of Bellevue, Kaiser Permanente, and the King County Parks Levy started transforming the 120-year-old Wilburton Trestle into a trail bridge that will be added to the emerging 42-mile Eastrail. “We’ve built strong partnerships to transform the historic Wilburton Trestle into a trail bridge for Eastrail,” said Executive Constantine. “Creating a regional trail that offers healthy, reliable, scenic connections to some of the world’s leading job centers, vibrant cities, and light rail service demonstrates what we can achieve when we align… Read More
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