Featured Headlines
DCHS-led Health Through Housing initiative hits major milestone
In the field with Executive Zahilay: Listening to staff and empowering solutions
Tap to pay: Puget Sound region transit systems to accept credit and debit cards, and digital wallets as fare payment
Major ‘Revive I-5’ repairs continue for Ship Canal Bridge
News
Remembering DNRP’s Steve Bleifuhs
The Seattle Times recently published a tribute for Steve Bleifuhs, a longtime member of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) Water and Land Resources Division leadership team who died July 7 in a small plane crash in Eatonville. The article shares: Steve Bleifuhs worked as a bicycle mechanic while studying economics at the University of Wisconsin, and later in Seattle’s University District, where he moved to in 1994. He then started a nearly 30-year career working at the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, where he eventually managed… Read More
“The Southard:” Homeownership that is inclusive and sustainable
Patti Southard, a nationally-acclaimed pioneer in her field, as a Green Building Program Manager for King County Solid Waste Division in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks for 14 years, until she passed away in 2019. Homestead Community Land Trust held a ribbon-cutting event on Friday, June 28, 2024 to celebrate the completion of the Southard, named after Patti. Located in the Cascade View neighborhood of Tukwila, the Southard is Homestead’s latest net-zero energy, Salmon Safe, affordable homeownership development. June 28, also Patti’s birthday, was commemorated as Patti Southard Day by… Read More
Executive Constantine unveils new national report to tackle mental health crisis
King County Executive Dow Constantine was in Hillsborough County, Fla. last week to unveil a new report from the National Association of Counties (NACo) aimed at improving mental health outcomes and policies. NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing, which Executive Constantine co-chairs, released its final report on Saturday, titled From Crisis to Solutions: Policy Catalysts for Improved Outcomes. It contains recommendations for federal policymakers and county leaders to address the nation’s mental health crisis. “We’ve made substantial progress in promoting our priorities for mental health service and policy reform, but there… Read More
5th Avenue Theatre discount tickets for all shows in the upcoming 2024-2025 season
King County employees can receive a 25% discount on all tickets for upcoming 5th Avenue Theatre performances through August 2025. The upcoming season includes Disney’s Mary Poppins, the Waitress, Bye Bye Birdie, and more. Discounted tickets are also available for the show Clue. View the full lineup and more information here. To take advantage of this offer, book directly at www.5thavenue.org/seacity. Use the promo code SEACITY to purchase tickets. See all available employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
No AC? Can’t open your windows? Here’s how to stay cool
Crossposted from Public Health Insider When it’s hot outside, it can be miserable inside if you don’t have air conditioning or can’t open your windows. These tips can help when it feels like an oven in your home. How to reduce the heat inside Block the sun with shades, open the shades at night. Curtains and shades can keep your home from heating up. But at night, when lights are out and if you don’t need them for privacy, keep the shades open to let the windows release heat. Trap heat with closed… Read More
Complete Dependent Eligibility Verification by July 29
To ensure your family members continue their coverage on your King County medical, dental, or vision plan, please verify their eligibility by submitting documentation to Mercer. This dependent eligibility verification process must be completed by July 29, 2024, for each person enrolled to make sure they do not lose coverage on Sept. 30, 2024. The verification process can take a few days so don’t leave it to the last minute! If you have coverage questions, please contact King County Benefits. Access the Mercer Secure Website to check your verification progress and submit documents. If you… Read More
Get to Know: King County’s Behavioral Health Outreach Teams
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections At King County’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Division, we’re working toward a future where everyone is able to access mental health and substance use care when, where and how they need it. We are also actively bringing care and support to people in the community experiencing behavioral health crises. Our growing cadre of behavioral health outreach teams go anywhere and everywhere in the County to meet people where they are, offering compassion, support, connections to resources and treatment, medications for opioid use disorder, and more in a culturally… Read More
Loop Truck Shop in North Bend earns LEED Platinum certification
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories You wouldn’t guess that a semi-truck maintenance facility would be all that tranquil, but on a recent morning in North Bend, the bay doors were open, and the sunshine was pouring in. Between the occasional rumble of a truck firing up, you could hear a woodpecker working on breakfast. Tucked into a thicket of trees just off I-90 sits one of King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division’s newest buildings. Completed in late 2022 and operational since January 2023, the Loop Vehicle Maintenance Facility (AKA the Loop Truck Shop)… Read More
Look for “KnowBe4” email with cybersecurity training links on July 15
On July 15, King County’s trusted vendor KnowBe4 will send a countywide email with links to cybersecurity training. This is a legit email, not a phishing attempt. Annual cybersecurity training is required for all employees and contractors with access to King County systems. Training must be completed by Dec. 31, 2024. Cybersecurity training is an important safeguard that helps protect vital King County systems. The number of employees that complete training each year impacts King County’s insurance rates. Total instruction time for the training is about 60 minutes. If employees cannot find the email with the… Read More
New mindfulness offerings
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at the moment—free from distraction or judgment. It’s a proven method to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being. Balanced You is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with mindfulness providers CuriosityBased and SolJoy. This collaboration highlights Balanced You’s dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive employee well-being program that is in alignment with King County’s values. Learn more. Supervisors: Here is a printer-friendly PDF with the new Mindfulness Summer 2024 schedule to post at your worksites for employees… Read More
Learn about Designated Crisis Responders in King County
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections When a person is in a mental health or substance use crisis, law enforcement or emergency medical services are often the first to arrive. In some instances, Designated Crisis Responders (DCRs) also come to provide an essential service. DCRs investigate, evaluate, and ultimately decide whether to detain an individual under State statute for involuntary psychiatric or substance abuse care. People can experience a wide range of behavioral health needs, and with that comes a range of services to respond to these needs. DCRs are a critical part of… Read More
Wellness Hero Velda Alexander
Balanced You Wellness Heroes highlights employees doing things to better their lives, the lives of their colleagues, and our community. Meet Wellness Hero Velda Alexander, King County Metro Transit Operator. In this video she talks about her experience as a Metro bus driver, what keeps her grounded at work, what she does for self-care, and more. Check out the video of Velda below. We want to hear your stories! If you have a wellness story or want to nominate a fellow co-worker you know to be a Wellness Hero, please send us… Read More
First-ever Juneteenth flag-raising at King County
Crossposted from the DES Express For the first time ever, King County raised a Pan-African Flag over the Administration Plaza as part of a celebration of Juneteenth – Freedom Day. After a few brief speeches, participants broke into song at the event on June 18, singing the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900. The flag waved proudly over the Plaza through June 19 to commemorate the first Juneteenth celebrations that took place in 1866, a year… Read More
Keeping young minds engaged at annual Youth Academy
By Manny Apostol Jr., Community Engagement Specialist, King County Sheriff’s Office Last week, the King County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Renton Police Department, the Newcastle Police Department, and the DEA’s Operation Engage, held the second annual Youth Academy, which was an exciting and impactful event. A group of 36 enthusiastic middle schoolers from the Renton School District, ranging from 11 to 14 years old, had the opportunity to engage with public safety professionals from 12 different agencies. The activities offered were both educational and entertaining, encompassing a combat challenge, captivating… Read More
Reducing lead in cookware leads to BRG Innovation Award for Equity, Racial & Social Justice
By Mary Miller, Executive Communications, Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget A joint team from the Water and Land Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources (DNRP) and Parks and the Environmental Health Division of Public Health – Seattle and King County received the 2023 Best-Run Government (BRG) Innovation Award for Equity, Racial & Social Justice. The project team took significant and decisive action to address the health risks that exposure to lead in aluminum cookware posed to Afghan refugee children – and then broadened new protective measures to help residents… Read More
No yard burning: Fire Marshal issues Stage 1 Burn Ban, restricting yard debris fires in unincorporated areas
Crossposted from King County Local With the dry season fast approaching, King County Fire Marshal Eric Urban has issued a Stage 1 Burn Ban for the unincorporated areas, which prohibits yard debris fires along with fires set to clear land. It took effect Saturday, June 29. The ban, issued in conjunction with the King County Fire Chiefs Association and King County Fire Marshals Association, does not apply to recreational fires and gas/propane appliances, including grills, pellet smokers and charcoal grills. Read more.
Making Life Easier, now powered by CuraLinc
Balanced You is excited to announce that, effective July 1, 2024, Making Life Easier (MLE) is now administered by our new vendor CuraLinc. Through CuraLinc, King County employees and anyone living at the employee’s home address now has access to an expanded library of Making Life Easier resources to support emotional and overall well-being. All Making Life Easier resources are confidential and offered at no-cost to you. Read more.
FBOD makes headlines
Crossposted from the DES Express Congratulations to Ken Guy, Director of the Finance and Business Operations Division (FBOD), and his staff for contributing to a published article by the Government Finance Officers Association. “Rethinking Financial Reporting” takes a hard look at traditional financial reports and their value. “Ken has been a leader nationwide and actively engaged with regulators at all levels encouraging a break from the traditional mindset that more financial disclosure is always better,” said Eben Sutton, Chief Accountant in FBOD. “Ken has been advancing the notion that preparing financial statement… Read More
Sun safety tips
As we all know, our region does not get year-round sun. It seems like every year when summer arrives, we rush outside to get the much-needed sun we’ve been missing. Whether you are enjoying your summer activities or exposed to sun during your workday, don’t forget to follow these sun safety tips to keep you cool and safe: Wear sunscreen: No matter your skin type, sunscreen helps protect you from damage caused by UV rays. Cover all exposed areas of your body with an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. Wear appropriate clothing: Choose lightweight, light… Read More
Take care working outdoors during heat
Updated Aug. 8, 2024 Hot weather is forecast for the next few days in our region, and a Heat Advisory has been issued for parts of the state. As some of our work needs to be performed outdoors, we want to ensure that employees and supervisors take care of themselves and one another as temperatures rise. In extreme heat, Executive Branch departments should evaluate planned field work to determine if this work can be postponed to when temperatures are cooler, where possible. If work must be performed, departments should attempt to adapt… Read More
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