Finding hope and raising awareness during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Dear employee,
Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer, King County Executive Office
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and recognize that suicide prevention works, help is available, and recovery is possible.
Suicide has warning signs, and I encourage you to take the time to learn them. Connecting to help for yourself, a loved one, or a colleague can make the world of difference. Effective and compassionate resources are available, 24 hours a day, and many people have found hope and support through them:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- Making Life Easier: Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-888-874-7290 (for King County employees and their families). Making Life Easier has counselors available 24/7 and can help in a crisis as well as get you or anyone living in your home set up with counseling (8 free sessions).
- Crisis Connections: 24 hour crisis line: 866-4CRISIS (427-4747).
- Crisis Text Line: Text trained crisis counselors about anything that’s on your mind. Free, 24/7 and confidential. Text “HOME to 741741,
- For immediate crises, call 911 right away.
You can also learn more and get additional information at:
By taking the time to learn the warning signs and how to get support, we can all help someone in crisis.
Sincerely,
Whitney Abrams
Chief People Officer
King County Executive Office
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My 2019-20 proposed biennial budget
Dear fellow King County employee,
King County Executive Dow Constantine
Today I transmitted my 2019-2020 proposed biennial budget to the Metropolitan King County Council.
It is a budget that tackles major issues facing our communities, including homelessness and reforming the juvenile legal system. It preserves and protects more of our region’s natural resources and beauty on land and water. It restructures county government so we can serve our customers even more effectively. And it makes sure Metro Transit continues to serve an ever-increasing number of riders.
Some of the highlights include:
- $12 million for modular congregate shelters, micro dwelling units, and permanent supportive housing.
- $3 million to expand Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion programs to three south King County cities to facilitate treatment and community services instead of jail for people with behavioral health challenges.
- $170 million to control combined sewer overflows and update the long-term control plan.
- Using new debt financing to support $148 million to protect key habitat, urban open space, and forest and farms.
- Increasing bus service by 177,000 hours while investing in bus bases to maintain current and future fleets.
For this budget I have created a series of five short videos that tell the story of why we are making these investments, and I encourage you to watch each one:
Transmitting my proposed budget is the first step in a two-month public process, leading to Council adoption in November of a final County budget.
Thank you for your continued hard work and commitment to serving the people of King County.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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Pet of the week: Bruno
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
This handsome fellow is Bruno, our Pet of the Week!
Bruno came to us as a stray. Although we don’t know his history, Bruno’s caregivers have noticed that he enjoys the company of people. He just needs some time and patience to adjust to his new surroundings and human friends. Bruno is not an overly “touchy” guy, but he does appreciate a few pets here and there. This could change with time, but for now he just needs some space.
Read more at Tails from RASKC
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Training Spotlight: Excel: Level 1 and Overview of the PeopleSoft Database
Excel: Level 1, Sept. 26: Learn techniques for entering data into cells, working with data, and using data tables more efficiently. Discover how to finish your workbook and how to navigate and get help in Excel 2013. This class will also cover basic techniques for filtering and limiting data that can be entered into individual cells. Learn more and register on Eventbrite.
Overview of the PeopleSoft Database, Oct. 1: The Human Resources Division has scheduled training about the PeopleSoft Database. It is open to experienced PeopleSoft users who wish to learn about the data sets in the PeopleSoft HCM module. Learn more and register on Eventbrite.
Visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/learning to learn more about trainings and other opportunities to invest in YOU.
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Featured Job: Public Information Officer (Communications Specialist IV)
Salary: $85,015.00 – $107,762.00 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: Department of Transportation – Transit Division
Job Number: 2018DS08646
Closing: 10/1/2018 11:59 PM Pacific
King County Metro seeks a Public Information Officer (PIO) who has a passion for clear communication, a strategic mindset, and a love of working with the media, politicians and the general public. The PIO is one of two spokespeople for King County Metro who shape the external voice of Metro by developing, coordinating and disseminating information to the media and the public.
The PIO develops and maintains relationships with media, stakeholders, and diverse communities to connect the people of King County and the region with Metro Transit services, including bus, rail, paratransit, vanpool as well as new mobility options. The incumbent will work integrally with another work group member to perform a broad range of media relations and communications consultation duties, as detailed below.
For more information, contact Deandra Stanley, Human Resource Analyst, at 206-263-1421 or Deandra.Stanley@kingcounty.gov. Learn more about this position or all available jobs.
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Congratulations to DCHS Director Adrienne Quinn
Crossposted from the Best Starts for Kids Blog
Today King County Executive Dow Constantine announced that Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Director Adrienne Quinn has accepted a new position at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance as a Distinguished Practitioner (a faculty post).
We are deeply grateful for Adrienne’s leadership with our department and with Best Starts for Kids. Under her leadership and vision, we’ve launched the most comprehensive approach to childhood and youth development in the nation, living into our equity and social justice values at every step of the way. We are thrilled that she will be teaching and guiding the next generation of leaders in our region.
While our department will not be the same without her, we are thankful for the strong community of Best Starts for Kids staff and partners entrusted to continue our progress toward our shared vision for King County’s children, youth, and families.
Sincerely,
Sheila Capestany
Sheila Capestany serves as the Strategic Advisor for Children and Youth at King County and leads the County’s Best Starts for Kids initiative.
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Council establishes new Department of Local Services
Crossposted from Inside Transportation
by Harold S. Taniguchi, Director, King County Dept. of Transportation, Local Services Transition Lead
On behalf of all who work with residents of unincorporated King County, I want to thank members of the Metropolitan King County Council for unanimously adopting an ordinance to make our new King County Department of Local Services a reality.
As you can see in this statement from Executive Constantine, this Council action now leads us into the budget process. The Department of Local Services (DLS) will be funded with existing revenues, and the Executive will now include the DLS in the 2019-2020 biennial budget he will propose to the Council on September 24. The Council is scheduled to adopt a County budget by Thanksgiving.
Read more at Inside Transportation
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Prosecuting Attorney’s Office employee receives Department of Defense Patriot Award
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) gives employees the opportunity to nominate an individual supervisor or boss for support provided directly to the nominating service member and his or her family. Dan Clark, a supervisor with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, was recently presented with a Patriot Award for his support of King County employee and Army Reserve Sgt. Thomas O’Ban.
“Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Phil Sanders, ESGR member.
Read more in the original story to appear on the ESGR website.
Pictured: Dan Clark, center, receiving the ESGR award.
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Additional events for Latinx Heritage Month, Sept. 20 and Oct. 1
These upcoming events are sponsored by Metro Transit’s EEO, Equity, and Inclusion Office. All King County employees are welcomed. For questions, or to volunteer for future heritage month events, please contact Joy Bryngelson at 206-477-8667 or Joy.Bryngelson@kingcounty.gov.
Cross Agency Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month Celebration hosted by Sound Transit, King County Metro and SDOT Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Union Station-Ruth Fisher Board Room. Come enjoy a cultural program and Latin-American desserts, both free!
Consul of Mexico Presents “Mexican Ingenuity” Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 from noon to 1 p.m. at the King Street Center 8th floor conference room. Back by popular the demand, the Consul of Mexico has graciously accepted the invitation to return and speak about US-Mexico relations, immigration policy, culture, and foreign trade. This event will be moderated by Matias Valenzuela, Director of the King County Equity and Social Justice Office.
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Employee proud to have positive impact, helping local youth succeed
Making a difference in your community looks different for everyone. For Tevin Gladney, a Peer Connector with King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), making a difference in his community is something he can do every day at work. Tevin is with the Reconnect to Opportunity program from DCHS’ Employment and Education Resources, which regularly provides equitable opportunities for youth and adults to prepare for and obtain great jobs.
Just recently, Tevin received a referral from a school counselor at Renton High School introducing him to a student who was struggling with staying engaged in school. The student was not on track to graduate due to a lack of credits, did not have a supportive home environment and was uninterested in most of his classes.
Wanting to build a relationship with this student, Tevin connected with him around several shared interests, including business and entrepreneurship. Tevin shared books they could both read and discuss, and discussed art, prompting this student to share his artwork and dream of developing an art-based business.
“I grew up in this community in south King County and I know exactly what it is like to be in their shoes,” he said. “I also understand the value of having a mentor and connector by their side to make sure they are on the right path.”
After further working with this student, Tevin referred him to Renton Technical College’s Open Doors high school completion program and helped him to enroll. The student began to excel, inspired by a change and the fact he could finish high school in a supportive and flexible environment. The best part is he would now have the opportunity to walk in the commencement ceremony, and work towards an Associate’s Degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship.
This support and encouragement by Tevin and other dedicated adults motivated this student to finish high school and gain a direction for furthering his education and a career. Tevin explains this work is meaningful to him because it makes a direct impact on a community he is passionate about.
“I love doing this work because honestly, it does not feel like work to me,” he said. “I am thankful to have a job where I can make a direct impact on our youth’s lives.”
For more information about the Reconnect to Opportunity program, visit www.reopp.org. To learn about the services available through the King County Employment and Education Resources visit their page on the King County website.
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