Initiative brings people together, provides education and support for faith leaders
We’ve all heard the saying “there’s strength in numbers.” From volunteers coming together to build a home to the mass migration of monarch butterflies, when people (or even animals) come together, beautiful and powerful things can happen.
King County is no different. When it provides opportunities for the community to come together, there are amazing results. For example, the American Muslim Empowerment Network, a program of the Muslim American Association of Puget Sound (MAPS), received funding from the King County Resilience Fund to strengthen community support for immigrants and refugees who are at risk. This recently culminated in the Faith Over Fear conference, a two-day training held in January that brought together faith leaders from diverse backgrounds to stand in solidarity with Muslims here in King County.
Pictured: Aneelah Afzali, Executive Director of the American Muslim Empowerment Network, speaks at the Faith Over Fear conference. She is joined on stage by other guest speakers, including King County Executive Dow Constantine, seated far right.
“It’s important to bring people together as friends and allies so that they can stand with us to combat hatred and bigotry,” said Aneelah Afzali, Executive Director of the American Muslim Empowerment Network (AMEN). “Faith Over Fear was about equipping faith leaders to address Islamophobia and counter the efforts of those who wish to divide us as a community.”
The conference initially started as a roadshow, also funded by the Resilience Fund, held over several months in the fall of 2017. Partnering with the organization Neighbors in Faith, AMEN was able to provide 12 short, interactive workshops to faith leaders in different cities throughout western Washington. It was from these workshops that AMEN decided to hold a bigger event that would give attendees more learning opportunities.
“It was during this roadshow that we saw just how much faith leaders play a role and decided it was important to give them a deeper training,” said Aneelah. “We talked about creating a deeper dive or conference, not just a one-off training that would give effective, research-based information that could be shared with others.”
Pictured: Aneelah Afzali, center, with attendees of the Faith Over Fear conference.
The two day conference provided participants with information covering a wide variety of topics. The training focused on giving faith leaders the skills to have open discussions with their congregations and feel capable of becoming an effective ally to Muslim neighbors. National and local experts facilitated trainings on issues such as “The Basics of Islam and Islamophobia,” “Who American Muslims Are,” “How to locate and address our fears” and “How to respond to common misconceptions and questions about Islam and Muslims.”
A resounding success, the conference was attended by more than 90 participants and brought together several notable local and national organizations, including interfaith organization Shoulder-to-Shoulder and the Council on American Islamic Relations Washington.
“King County funded this work through the Resilience Fund in late 2017 because the focus of this project is aligned with the values we have as a County and the vision we have for our communities,” said Bookda Gheisar, Immigrant and Refugee Policy Analyst with Office of the Executive. “We are proud of the work of MAPS-AMEN and stand together to protect the rights of our Muslim brothers and sisters, and to show that discrimination and hate have no place in America.”
By working with faith leaders around the region, AMEN is able to educate and provide understanding to communities that may otherwise not have the opportunity to learn about Islam and the discrimination many Muslims are facing. This inclusive approach highlights the importance of collaboration to develop healthy, equitable communities.
“Our purpose is to build bridges of understanding and unity so that we can advocate for justice together,” said Aneelah. “It’s in our wider interest to fight for things that impact us all.”
“We want to help people stand with us to combat Islamophobia directly so we can have safe, secure communities.”
The next step in this program is to continue the roadshow throughout eastern Washington and further build on AMEN’s award-winning work. Founded in 2016, AMEN is an independent program of MAPS with four key priorities which include coalition building, education, leveraging media properly and empowering people to be future leaders. The organization is focused on fighting hatred and bringing together faith leaders in Washington to build a future that is welcoming to all.
For more information about MAPS-AMEN, visit http://www.mapsredmond.org. To learn more about the recent conference read this article published in the International Examiner, or view this King 5 interview with Shoulder-to-Shoulder Director Dr. Catherine Osborne.
Pictured: Attendees of the Faith Over Fear conference came from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives to learn how to overcome misconceptions and questions about Islam and Muslims
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Applications now open for 2018 Bridge Fellowship Program
Are you looking for an opportunity to expand your skills, grow as a leader, and gain a deeper understanding of King County government?
Then why not apply to be part of the 2018 King County Bridge Fellowship Program, an 18-week professional development program that expands participants’ mindsets, strengthens current competencies, and helps participants develop new skills? Applications are now open for the 2018 Bridge Fellowship Program: Career and Professional Development for Emerging Leaders. The last day for applications is Friday, June 8, 2018.
The 2017 Graduating Bridge Fellows with Executive Constantine, Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams, and Bridge Fellowship Program Manager Debra Baker.
The Bridge Fellowship, open to all full-time and TLT employees, was reestablished in 2013-2014 by King County Executive Dow Constantine. Bridge Fellows will participate in a rigorous application and interview process before joining this year’s cohort. Over the course of the program, participants engage in classroom learning, group projects, presentations and career development activities, as well as interviews and site visits to explore the County’s agencies and their priorities.
The Bridge Fellowship – part of Executive Constantine’s Investing in YOU strategy – is helping employees across the County be their best at work. And it’s delivering results: as of April 2018, 67% of Bridge participants have received new positions or stretch opportunities; 98% of 2016 and 2017 participants rated the program either “Excellent” or “Outstanding”.
To find out more and apply, please visit the Bridge Fellowship website, and direct questions to BridgeFellowship@KingCounty.gov. Please share this announcement with your colleagues and teams.
Thank you for making a difference for our community through the work that you do every day.
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Now Accepting Applications for Parent/Caregiver Education and Support RFP – Due June 14
Crossposted from Best Starts for Kids
The request for proposals to fund Parent/Caregiver Education and Support services is now open and available here.
Best Starts for Kids is investing in Community-Based Parenting and Peer Supports as one means of enhancing strengths and services within King County communities and improving child and family outcomes. This funding strategy is part of our Invest Early prenatal to 5 years old work.
This RFP for Parent/Caregiver Education and Support, is one of five Community-Based Parenting and Peer Supports RFPs that Best Starts is releasing to partner with community-based organizations to promote positive and healthy outcomes for young children and to support parents and family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers. Previous RFPs include:
- Basic Needs Resource Brokering (closed and awards made).
- Kaleidoscope Play and Learn (closed).
Upcoming RFPs within this strategy include:
- Prenatal Support Services and Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Support (later in May)
- Information for Caregivers (June).
Read more at Best Starts for Kids.
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More accountability, higher customer standards: upcoming Access paratransit service will have both
Crossposted from Metro Matters
By Chrissy Russillo, Managing Director of King County Metro’s Paratransit Rideshare Operations program
With the help of customers and advocates, King County Metro is just a few weeks away from reaching a major milestone toward improving Access paratransit service.
Later this month, we plan on calling on contractors to formally resubmit service proposals that will better meet the expectations and needs of our customers.
A list of key changes was developed with Access customers and advocates of the disability community, built over the course of 11 workgroup meetings from September through April.
The result for customers will be better accountability and higher standards for on-time performance than we have under our current contracts. We also will have more financial incentives to encourage contractors to improve performance and customer service, reduce costs and travel times – and penalties if standards aren’t met.
King County Metro’s Access program carried 958,000 trips last year, serving 10,000 customers. Paratransit is an expensive service. In fact, we currently have one of the nation’s highest cost per trip. There are several factors contributing to this. Some are policy-related, such as the decision to go above the ADA minimum requirements. Others are outside of our control, like the fact that Seattle has some of the worst traffic in the nation – leading to longer trip times for customers.
We continue to look for ways to contain costs without compromising service quality, including partnering with community organizations to provide lower-cost transportation options. And, of course, we work to make our bus system as accessible as possible for all people. Access paratransit serves riders who cannot otherwise ride bus service in King County.
We first asked for contractor proposals last year, however Access riders and other stakeholders communicated their disappointment that they were not more directly involved in the development of the Request for Proposals. They advocated for a more inclusive process, so at the direction of the King County Council, Metro paused the RFP process and formed the workgroup.
Our current schedule will have a new contract online in July 2019. In the meantime, Metro already has made changes to improve service for customers. We’ve improved on-time performance from 86 percent to 91 percent, exceeding our standard of 90 percent. We’ve also improved scheduling policies, strengthened contract management and accountability and provided a tool so riders can learn estimated arrival time via phone or online.
With the workgroup effort coming to a close, we have launched a new Access Task Force with more than 20 riders and advocates who will continue to hold us accountable and help us improve the program. Many of the people involved in the workgroup will continue to serve in the Access Task Force. Some members have different feelings about the outcome of the workgroup process, some are satisfied and some are not. Even though conversations can be difficult at times, we’ll continue to work with them to develop high-quality service for our customers, build trust and hold ourselves accountable.
The experience we have had over the past year has reminded us of the value of pausing to listen to our customers. We are all committed to delivering high quality service – and we cannot do this unless we are working in partnership with those who rely on our service.
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Kudos! to RASKC’s Humane Education team
RASKC spent some time with Fairwood Christian Preschool students in Renton, and they were a hit! Animal Control Specialist Nickie Ford (pictured) and Animal Services Administrator Lluvia Ellison-Morales spent two days sharing RASKC’s Humane Education with more than 125 students as part of the school’s pet week.
Fairwood posted on Facebook, “We had a visit from the Kent animal control today. The kids had a blast! @kingcountypets”
Well done, Nickie and Lluvia!
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Tech Tip: A change in your laptop docking system
New laptops that KCIT distributes are getting smaller, slimmer, and more lightweight.
Over the past two years the docking stations have been changing from the old slide-in-and-clamp style.
The new USB-C docks use one cable to connect to the side of your laptop.
The single cable connection plugs into the side of the laptop and can transmit high speed network data, connect your monitors and peripherals, and provide power to charge your laptop. This is now the laptop docking standard and comes with all new laptops.
The old slide in and clamp stations.
The new USB-C docking station.
The single cable connection.
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Metro’s Lost and Found Office featured on MyNorthwest.com
Executive Constantine shared Chris Sullivan’s MyNorthwest.com article on Facebook, and reminds us that, despite Metro’s Lost and Found program, many items and personal effects are never claimed. Visit Metro’s Customer Service site for more information, and help spread the word!
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Social Media Spotlight: Solid Waste Division’s Recycle More and Recicla más on Facebook
The Recycle More. It’s Easy to Do. campaign is a DNRP Solid Waste Division effort that encourages increased recycling among residents and businesses in King County, Washington.
Check out the Recycle More. It’s Easy to Do. page on Facebook. There is also a Spanish version and it has great information too: Recicla más on Facebook!
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Featured Job: Transit-Oriented Development Program Manager (Transportation Planner IV)
Closing: 05/20/18 11:59 PM
Salary: $96,584.18 – $116,763.09 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Multiple job types – temp and career service (TLT, SDA, Career Svc)
Department: Department of Transportation – Transit Division
Job Number: 2018RC08074
Description: This position will serve as the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Program Manager at Metro. Metro Connects, Metro’s long-range plan, calls for Metro to play an active role with our partners to build and promote compact development near frequent transit service with the goal of providing residents with more travel options, increasing affordable housing, and growing transit ridership. This position will lead TOD activities at Metro with support of a matrixed team of planners, designers, and real estate professionals.
Contact: For more information, contact Ralph Cady at 206-477-5998 or Ralph.Cady@KingCounty.gov.
Learn more about this position or all available jobs.
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Pet of the Week: Django Reinhardt
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
Jazzy pup Django Reinhardt is our Pet of the Week!
This pittie girl was brought in by her previous owner because she wasn’t a good fit for a rambunctious, high-traffic home. Django’s previous family described her as outgoing, loving, playful, and pretty much the best dog ever. She loves people and wants to be around them cuddling and helping out.
Since Django is full of energy and loves to play, she’s one of our “Rambunctious Red” pets. She’s spirited and fun-loving, but tends to calm down more when the people around her stay calm. Django does best when she gets lots of exercise and something to keep her mind busy.
She does well with other large dogs, but can be a bit reactive when meeting them behind a fence. She would do best meeting any current dogs in the home before being adopted. Django would also benefit from a slow introduction. Her previous family said that loud noises and lots of commotion makes her very uneasy, so she may do best in a quiet, low traffic, adults-only home. However, while staying with us she has done great with the positive and gentle approach her caregivers have taken.
Django is still working on her manners, and would do best with a family who is willing to work with her and help her become the best dog she can be!
This wonderful girl is spayed, current on vaccinations, and microchipped. Her adoption fee includes a certificate for a free veterinary exam and the option of 30 days of free pet insurance through Trupanion.
You can find out more about Django on our website, kingcounty.gov/AdoptAPet, or visit her at the Pet Adoption Center in Kent.
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