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Holiday travel? Metro will help you get there
Emergency exercise tests communications ahead of World Cup
King County Wins 2025 Geospatial Professional Network Award for Innovative AI-GIS System
Recognizing the service of Metro veterans
News
King County ranked in the top 20 in the U.S. for equitable ARPA spending
By Michael Jacobson, Deputy Director, Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget A new multiyear study conducted by the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy (the Institute) at The New School identified King County as a national leader in investing federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 to advance equity. King County scored in the top 20 of 170 U.S. cities and counties evaluated by the Institute’s Budget Equity Project, which examined how local governments across the U.S. are investing flexible recovery funds from ARPA to support racial… Read More
Matt Sanders Appointed Interim Director for the King County Department of Public Defense
Last week, DPD Director Anita Khandelwal tendered her resignation to Executive Constantine, effective October 4. Matt Sanders, who has led DPD’s Associated Counsel for the Accused, (ACA), Division as its Managing Attorney for the last two years. He was appointed to serve as Interim Director while the Executive’s Office conducts a national recruitment for a permanent Director of the Department of Public Defense. “I am energized by the opportunity to work with each of you in this new role and to continue the outstanding work we do every day,” Sanders said… Read More
Five things our interns taught us this summer
Every summer, the Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget (PSB) invites a group of bright, eager students to spend 10-12 weeks with us as part of our public service internship program. These PSB interns gain hands-on experience, participate in professional development opportunities, and get a real chance to make an impact in their communities. In return, they bring fresh perspectives that help us see our work through a new lens. This summer was no different. Here are the top five things they taught us: 1. Enthusiasm is contagious (and necessary) There’s nothing… Read More
New RapidRide G Line celebrates start of service, Sept. 14
Employees are invited to celebrate the official start of the G Line service on Sept. 14. This is a community event that will have informational booths, entertainment, food, and a G-Line five-door bus on display. Attendees will also be able to enjoy refreshments, grab some swag, shop at local businesses, and sign up for an ORCA card. Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration will be held on 19th Ave. between E. Pine and E. Madison St. This location carries the honorary designation of “Rev. Dr. S. McKinney Ave.,”… Read More
New report release: “Early Learning Facilities: Investing in Spaces Where Children can Thrive”
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections The Early Learning Facilities investment that funds improvements to family- and center-based child care facilities, released a report highlighting 2023 accomplishments. Read that report here! The investment from King County’s Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA) directs Sound Transit 3-related funds to be used to improve educational outcomes. Read more.
Equity in Infrastructure: King County signs pledge to support Historically Underutilized Businesses
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Executive Dow Constantine joined Sound Transit, the City of Seattle and other regional transit leaders to sign the Equity in Infrastructure Pledge to improve contracting opportunities for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs). “King County is committed to advancing equity in contracting, and the Equity in Infrastructure Pledge aligns perfectly with our ongoing work to support minority and women-owned businesses,” said King County Executive Constantine. “By amplifying opportunities for historically underutilized businesses, we seek to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to participate in and contribute to our region’s… Read More
Counting down: New RapidRide G Line and more King County Metro bus service begins Sept. 14
Crossposted from Metro Matters Starting Saturday, Sept. 14, King County Metro is expanding evening and weekend transit service and launching its eighth RapidRide – the G Line – which will provide fast and frequent service through downtown Seattle, First Hill, Capitol Hill, the Central District, and Madison Valley. The RapidRide G Line project and Sound Transit’s Link 1 Line expansion north to four new stations represent more than $3.1 billion in public transportation investments. Along with enhanced bus service upgrades, these new services will strengthen rider connections and expand the transit network…. Read More
DCHS shares video highlighting Crisis Connections
King County offers crisis services, and it all starts with making sure people have someone to call when they are experiencing a mental health or substance use related crisis. In honor of 988 Day and National Suicide Prevention Month, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) wants to make sure everyone feels comfortable making that call or text to 988 or the regional crisis line. Staff at Crisis Connections are always available to answer, talk, listen, and offer support. View the video below. Learn more about Crisis Connections at https://www.crisisconnections.org and… Read More
Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month with Nuestra Tierra/Our Land
King County Superior Court will celebrate Latinx Heritage Month with lunchtime events at the King County Courthouse in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Nuestra Tierra (Our Land) will feature food (including tamales from La Huerta Mexican and Latin Market in Kent) a panel discussion, guest speakers, mariachi music, and dancers. It will take place at noon on September 20 in Jury Room 2E at the Maleng Regional Justice Center, 401 4th Avenue North, Kent, and at noon on September 27 in the Presiding Courtroom (E-942) at the King County Courthouse, 516… Read More
King County celebrates September as National Preparedness Month “Start the Conversation”
Crossposted from KC Emergency News Join us in highlighting this year’s theme of “Preparing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities for Risks and Disasters.“ Things to do for National Preparedness Month Register to receive emergency alerts from ALERT King County in 29 languages Sign up for a free virtual Disaster Skills Training on Sept. 25 Join King County Emergency Management for a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” on Sept. 18 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on r/Seattle and r/SeattleWA Take a preparedness selfie and post Sept. 23-27 and tag #KingCountyReady Come learn about emergency preparedness at Uwajimaya Asian Markets from 3 p.m…. Read More
KCSO Deputy Sare and K9 Chuck make their TV debut
The King County Sheriff’s Office celebrated National Police K9 Day (Sept. 1) by making the local news rounds. KCSO Deputy/K9 Handler Sam Sare and his partner Chuck made their TV debuts on both KOMO TV (the Arc) and Good Day Seattle on Q13. Both were most excellent as Deputy Sare explained the benefits and the success of the K9 Program. Chuck, it seems, was born to be a star. Watch the video clip at the link here: King County K9 unit talks about special partnership.
Roads interns complete another amazing summer
Crossposted from King County Local Our amazing Roads interns are wrapping up their summer with us! Since June, these bright and driven students have been exploring various careers within Road Services – from Bridges and Structures to Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Management, Road and Traffic Engineering, and much more. Some of their key takeaways from a summer’s worth of real-world experience: Picked up pro communication skills and teamwork habits Got hands-on with industry programs and software Learned the ropes of safely operating field equipment Saw what goes into project timelines and development Read… Read More
Increase connections during Suicide Prevention Month
National Suicide Prevention Month, recognized during September, is a month to bring awareness to the general public and those who are affected by suicide. Mental health struggles, such as suicidal thoughts, can happen to anyone at any time. Mental health may be especially impacted by the unprecedented levels of loneliness many of us are experiencing. A 2023 Gallup poll indicated that one in five workers worldwide suffer from loneliness. Additionally, the United States Surgeon General issued a report in 2023 stating that our nation was experiencing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation…. Read More
King County partners with University of Washington to open free veteran civil legal clinic
On Sept. 6, King County Executive Dow Constantine and the University of Washington School of Law announced a new partnership to open a free civil legal services clinic for veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Starting in early 2025, law students will work with the Veterans Clinic to provide free legal advice, representation, and services to veterans seeking benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other legal assistance. Read more.
Fifth annual Reconnect to Opportunity High School Resource fair distributes resources to more than 450 community members
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections It is back-to-school season, and this August the Reconnect to Opportunity (ReOpp) team hosted the fifth annual High School Resource fair with 23 community partners and 466 community members participating. The resource fair was initially launched in the summer of 2020 as a drive-through resource fair to connect families to basic needs items for school such as food, school supplies, and backpacks. The fair has become a fixture and draws consistent turnout from the community and organizational partners. Read more.
King County’s investments in the mental health and well-being workforce
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Supporting the well-being and mental health of our communities is a priority for King County. Even before the pandemic, community members were facing new challenges in accessing supports for mental health care. Since the pandemic, those challenges have deepened, especially for young people who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, and multilingual who have increasing mental health needs but a lack of culturally representative providers. Among other areas of investments in behavioral health, King County is expanding funding in the workforce. The Crisis Care Centers Initiative invests… Read More
King County’s Vashon Recycling and Transfer Station achieves zero energy certification, with more climate successes on the horizon
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green With installation of a new solar array and other energy-saving features completed, the Vashon Recycling and Transfer Station has been Zero Energy Certified by the International Living Future Institute, meaning that over the course of a year the facility generates as much or more energy through solar power than it draws from the electricity grid. “This is a huge milestone for our division,” said Elly Trinh, King County’s Green Building Team Program Manager. “The Vashon Recycling and Transfer Station is the division’s first zero energy facility, and it’s one… Read More
More young people will have access to outdoor recreation, refurbished aquatic centers, and enhanced sports fields with $5 million in King County Parks funding
More young people will have access to outdoor recreation, after-school activities, refurbished aquatic centers, and enhanced sports fields and playgrounds thanks to a combined $5 million in King County Parks funding proposed by Executive Dow Constantine and approved by the County Council. The 63 funded projects include summer backpacking trips for underserved young people, after-school sports and wellness programs in South King County cities, a new synthetic baseball infield in Seattle’s Central District, and improvements for aquatic centers in Des Moines and White Center. “With support from King County Parks, more young… Read More
Is your personal information correct in PeopleSoft?
It’s important to review and update your personal information in PeopleSoft. Here’s why: You will receive important Open Enrollment and other employee benefits information mailed to you at the address you have listed as of Sept. 30, 2024. Your emergency contact can be notified if something happens to you at work. You can be notified of safety directives, building closures, etc. You can receive information at the email address you prefer. Here’s how: Watch the Updating Personal Details in PeopleSoft video or follow these steps: Sign in to PeopleSoft from any device… Read More
Preparing for emergencies in National Preparedness Month
Dear fellow King County employee, King County cares about your safety and well-being and we want to help you stay safe – and keep your family and community safe – in the event of an emergency. September is National Preparedness Month and I want to encourage you to take steps to prepare for a natural disaster or emergency. Our own Office of Emergency Management has training and resources that make preparing easy. Here are three steps you can take to be more prepared: Prepare for an emergency: You can find more… Read More
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