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An update on our services
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC COVID-19 UPDATE: Pet adoptions resumed by appointment-only Monday, May 11 at 6 a.m. Due to COVID-19, our adoption process has changed. Adoptions of our animals from our Kent shelter have switched to an appointment-based system. Please visit our pet adoption page to learn about this new process. For more information about the COVID-19 outbreak, visit kingcounty.gov/covid. Our number one priority at RASKC continues to be focused on delivering our mission of “Helping People and Pets.” We are honored to be of continued service to our communities, both in person when needed… Read More
Recognizing Metro operators for their dedication and commitment
The Seattle Times recently highlighted how the public is saluting Metro operators with bubbles and joy in an article from their Stepping Up series, which focuses on “moments of compassion, duty and community in uncertain times.” The article shares how residents prepare for the next bus to drive by to show their appreciation. “Then the self-proclaimed ‘Bubble Brigade’ hooted and hollered, waved signs of support and blew kisses and bubbles at the lumbering yellow and blue buses that rolled by and occasionally reciprocated the sidewalk salute with two loud horn honks.” Read the full article in The Seattle… Read More
Business Resource Center online resources and New Employee Packet
It can be challenging to begin a new position, as well as welcome a new member to the team. The Business Resource Center (BRC) offers an internal website and other online resources to help employees who are new to King County adjust to a new workplace that exists in a virtual environment. The BRC now hosts a New Employee Packet section on their website to support employees with PeopleSoft functionality and other payroll-associated information. Employees will find links to many great resources, including: Benefits and Retirement website King County policies Technical resources PeopleSoft training materials and… Read More
COVID-19 ridership update: Masks required as region uses transit for essential trips
Crossposted from Metro Matters Ridership on King County Metro continues to remain steady at just over 100,000 daily trips across our reduced service network. We’re in the first week of a new directive to wear masks or face coverings in King County and on public transportation, and by wearing a mask you are helping support and protect drivers and customers who are using Metro to make essential trips. Metro analyzed preliminary extrapolations to create an unofficial estimate of weekly ridership, which remains substantially lower compared to a year ago. Read more from Metro… Read More
Standing together against racism
Dear fellow King County employee, Earlier this week we witnessed the tragic last moments of a man’s life – a black man in Minneapolis, who died with a white police officer’s knee pressed to his neck. This follows the February shooting by three white men of an unarmed black man jogging in Brunswick, Georgia. These killings, and the deaths of countless black and brown Americans in much the same way over the past few years, are stark reminders that racism and hate continue to thrive in our nation – in communities large and… Read More
“Supporting our Kids through the Pandemic with Connection and Collective Care” webinar, June 10
During the recent Balanced You webinar “A Conversation on Self-care and Connection,” we heard from employees that one of your top concerns is how the pandemic is impacting your kids. Because you asked for help supporting your kids through this, we reached out to one of the area’s top parent coaches, Sarina Behar Natkin, to coordinate a webinar and Q&A session for King County employees. The webinar will be held Wednesday, June 10 from 12:30 – 2 p.m. Register here. The session will be recorded and posted for those who cannot attend the live… Read More
Update: Telecommuting with children at home
Crossposted from Balanced You To slow the spread of coronavirus, King County employees who can telecommute have been mandated to telecommute until at least Sept. 7, 2020. Because K-12 schools have closed, King County is temporarily allowing parents and caretakers to telecommute while caring for children at home. Telecommuting with children at home is a new experience for most employees and can present its own unique challenges. As such, Balanced You has put together some advice to help you continue to be productive and keep your family safe. Read more from Balanced You
Results from new model show necessity of robust contact tracing and other measures to prevent resurgence in epidemic
Crossposted from Public Health Insider A comprehensive program of increased testing, isolation of infected people, and contact tracing with quarantine of home and work contacts could prevent growth in the epidemic as King County gradually re-opens, according to a new modeling report by the Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM). The report also found that there was little room to increase public interaction without risk of exceeding the effective reproductive rate of 1.0, a critical threshold for preventing growth in new cases locally. This report finding signals the need for caution in reopening to avoid… Read More
Taking care of mental health during COVID-19
Crossposted from Public Health Insider COVID-19 has drastically changed our communities, impacting not only physical and financial health, but emotional and mental as well. As we continue to learn more about COVID-19 and adjust our routines, we may notice changes in how we think, feel and relate with ourselves and each other. Now more than ever, staying up to date, making mental health a priority and connecting to supportive resources is key. Here are a few tips for managing mental health during COVID-19: Stay informed Information about COVID-19 is rapidly evolving week… Read More
Safety and security reminder
With many King County employees still working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are fewer “eyes and ears” around to notice when something is out of place in one of our buildings. We’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few safety tips. Don’t let anyone “tailgate” you into a county building, and make sure doors shut firmly behind you. Also, don’t prop doors open. Be alert to your surroundings as you walk to and from your car or transit stop, between buildings, or outside on breaks. … Read More
Updated teleworking resources
As many in King County continue to telework, KCIT has updated its guidance and resources to ensure a positive experience for everyone. Learn more by visiting the KCIT King County Telework Resources website (SharePoint). For help with a technical issue or problem, contact the KCIT Helpdesk or call 206-263-4357 (3-HELP).
New data shows broader social, economic, health impacts of efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Nearly everyone in our community has felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It might be from COVID-19 illness, or from local and state efforts to slow its spread. We all are experiencing social distancing, school closures, business closures, or isolation and quarantine. Public Health – Seattle & King County has created a new set of data tools that show some of the broader impacts in King County – focusing on social, economic, and overall health and well-being. Key topics include unemployment, housing and food needs, internet access,… Read More
Asian-Pacific Islander Affinity Group creating meaningful connections with communities during COVID-19
At King County, having a community to connect with is crucial, even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. With May being Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important for employees to stay connected, and the County’s Employee Resource Groups, or Affinity Groups, provide a unique opportunity for employees to support one another. The Asian Pacific Islander (API) Affinity Group’s vision is to be “committed to our community to thrive and celebrate our diverse cultures.” With one of their mission statements being “educate non-API communities by promoting and… Read More
Substance use and mental health disorder recovery resources during the pandemic
The pandemic is creating unique challenges for those faced with substance use and mental health disorders, including those in active recovery. Social isolation can heighten symptoms and cravings. Meanwhile connection – the antidote to isolation, the theme of King County Mental Health Month’s third week, and a cornerstone of many recovery programs – has changed in the face of social distancing. Before coronavirus, rooms and facilities in communities across the globe were filled with groups of people offering each other resources, tips, and stories of strength and hope. Now, those groups have… Read More
On-demand webinar: A conversation on self-care
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone’s mental health in unique ways. Now, more than ever, self-care and connection are needed. In recognition of Mental Health Month, Shawna Johnson, Balanced You Employee Health Specialist, and Heather Steffensen, Interim Employee Assistance Program Manager, led “A Conversation on Self-Care.” This live, interactive webinar covered self-care strategies, techniques and tools to reduce stress and anxiety, and benefits and resources available to support King County employees’ mental health. This webinar, now available on-demand, can be found on the Balanced You blog.
Featured job: Senior Microbiologist – Public Health Laboratory
Salary: $30.96 – $39.24 Hourly Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT) Department: DPH – Public Health Job Number: 2020AB10643 Division: Prevention Closing: 6/12/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Featured job: Pathologist (Disease Control Officer – Associate)
Salary: $182,812.45 – $231,725.73 Annually Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week Department: DPH – Public Health Job Number: 2020AB11527 Division: Prevention Closing: Continuous Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Mental Health Month week three: Connecting with others
For the third week of Mental Health month, Balanced You is focusing on the topic “connecting with others.” Social connection helps ward off social isolation and is an important part of mental health. The connections we make with other people enrich our lives and support us through the most difficult times. But, sometimes, it is not easy to know how to make those meaningful, enriching connections, especially during the pandemic. During the pandemic, you may not be as ambitious about connecting with others as you were pre-pandemic, and that is okay. Still,… Read More
D.I.Y. face coverings: Tips on making cloth masks from the Public Health Crafter’s Corner
Crossposted from Public Health Insider A lot has changed since we published our first Public Health Crafter’s Corner in December (where we featured bedazzled hand sanitizer as a surprisingly prescient holiday gift). Since then, crafting has become a way to fill the many hours at home, and now there is urgent need for homemade cloth masks with the directive to wear face coverings in King County. Fortunately, making your own face coverings isn’t necessarily hard or expensive. We’ve got you covered–so to speak–with Do-It-Yourself ideas, even if you’ve never threaded a needle or touched a glue-gun. Read… Read More
Remembering and honoring our fallen heroes
Every Memorial Day, in communities across the nation, we honor the brave members of our country’s armed forces who gave their lives to protect our country and our freedom. As we reflect on the service of our fallen heroes, let us also remember the families they left behind. We honor the memory of those we have lost when we support their spouses and children, and when we help our returning veterans build healthy and successful lives here at home. On Monday, May 25, I ask you to join me in a moment… Read More
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