“King County voters asked for urgent behavioral health care in every part of our region, and this site in Seattle is a leading example of how we’re delivering on that commitment. By investing in places for people to go to receive care, we can help more folks get the mental health treatment they need to recover, and in return, support the overall health and well-being of our communities.” King County has been working on securing a site location in Seattle for over 15 months. Following months of community listening sessions and engagement… Read More

Crossposted from King County Local Do you have a question about permits in unincorporated King County but don’t know where to start for answers? Good news! Today, the Department of Local Services launched a series of simple, animated videos that answer some of the most commonly asked questions for the Permitting Division. Read more.

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections King County Executive Shannon Braddock joined the City of Seattle and Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) this week to celebrate the opening of the new Opioid Recovery and Care Access (ORCA) Center and shared a tour of the new facility on Instagram. The ORCA Center offers people a welcoming place to recover after an overdose and start treatment. It’s an important resource in King County’s work to address local impacts of the opioid crisis. “Thanks to collaboration across all levels of government to confront the opioid overdose crisis, we now have… Read More

Suicide is a difficult but critical topic, and chances are it has touched your life or someone you know. It affects people of all backgrounds and is currently the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S. Recognizing the warning signs is key to prevention. Starting a conversation about suicide won’t encourage it; instead, it opens the door to support and connection. If someone you know is struggling, listen without judgment, offer help, and connect them to professional resources. Your awareness and compassion can truly make a life-saving difference. Learn more. Supervisors: Here… Read More

Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office employee newsletter Recently, the Goddard School in Redmond reached out with a special request for a visit from King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) deputies. Deputies K. Baker and S. Wickland were more than happy to oblige! The visit was a hit with students and staff alike, and recently KCSO received a heartfelt thank you letter from the school’s director, expressing their appreciation for the time and care our deputies shared. Moments like these remind us how meaningful it is to connect with young people in… Read More

Crossposted from Metro Matters A bicycle race. A first date. A polar plunge. Every rider has a different destination, but they’re all taking King County Metro to get there. Our new advertising campaign, “Where to?”, shares some of the individual aspirations behind the 1.8 million trips that Metro delivers each week. Metro’s in-house creative and marketing teams captured stunning visuals of riders using transit to traverse our beautiful region by bus, light rail and water taxi. In a nod to the destination signs on buses that might read “Ballard,” “Downtown” or “Skyway,” each… Read More

Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office employee newsletter On Aug. 14, King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) employees gathered to welcome LC Carson and LC Easton into their law enforcement family, and were thrilled to have their families join too! A special barbecue was in order. LC Carson had a special request for ribs, and KCSO staff were more than happy to serve them up. A special shout out to Det. Hoaglan for preparing! As for LC Easton, since he loves to drive, we surprised him with a police car, complete with… Read More

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections King County’s Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS) released new data highlighting the department’s transformative impact. Last year, DCHS reached more than 477,000 residents through services including affordable housing, behavioral health treatment, child care, education and employment opportunities for youth and young adults, support for veterans, and resources for people with developmental disabilities. For the first time, department-wide data includes all five divisions, giving a more comprehensive look at DCHS’ impact, including the location of funded services, where participants live, how services were accessed and investments made, among other findings. Read more.

Crossposted from Metro Matters Binder, paper, pens and pencils, calculator, backpack, ORCA Card! With school just around the corner, a useful item that also makes a great fashion statement is a Free Youth Transit Pass (FYTP)—also known as a Youth ORCA card! The pass is good 24/7/365. This will be the fourth school year that youth 18 years of age and younger will be able to use it to board transit for free. The card is the stress-free way for getting to after school activities, picking up siblings, getting to work, or heading… Read More

Crossposted from the KCSO Employee newsletter Chief Jose Marenco and Sound Transit Police Chief Marcus Williams recently welcomed a delegation from Kazakhstan as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The visit served as a platform for an information exchange centered on strategies for countering corruption and promoting transparency in law enforcement. During the session, KCSO leadership shared best practices, oversight measures, and community engagement approaches aimed at building trust and accountability. The Kazakh delegates offered insight into their own challenges and solutions, fostering a mutually beneficial… Read More