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King County’s Ruth Woo Emerging Leaders Fellowship: Empowering tomorrow’s public service leaders
We are excited to introduce the 2023-2024 Ruth Woo Emerging Leaders Fellows. The Ruth Woo Emerging Leaders Fellowship offers a unique one-year, paid fellowship and is dedicated to nurturing the next wave of public service leaders. Inspired by Ruth Woo, a dedicated advocate of public service and mentor to elected officials, the Fellowship provides immersive experiences across various County departments. Fellows will actively contribute to projects aligned with King County’s core values of equity, social justice, and community well-being, engaging in tasks ranging from supporting government initiatives and strategic planning to tracking… Read More
Support humanitarian efforts in the Middle East during the Annual Giving Drive
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. Thousands of lives have been lost, and many more people have been injured and displaced. Many nonprofit organizations were already on the ground providing aid, and more still are working to ensure immediate and long-term humanitarian aid for Israel, Gaza, and the surrounding region. When people are in need anywhere in the world, employees want to help. The King County Employee Giving Program has several nonprofits in the program that are responding. Both short-term and… Read More
Learn about 2024 benefits before Open Enrollment
Take the time to review your benefit choices before Open Enrollment, Nov. 1-15. The following benefit changes become effective for all employee benefit groups on Jan. 1, 2024: KingCare PPO and KingCare Select (Regence BlueShield) medical plans: The PrudentRx program will be offered by CVS to members who take specialty drugs. If you enroll in PrudentRx, you will pay $0 for eligible specialty medications. If you do not enroll, you will pay 30% coinsurance for specialty medications. PrudentRx representatives will contact all eligible employees to enroll. The CVS Cost Saver program will… Read More
Five questions with Lauren Orichio, Supported Employment Program Manager
1. What is your role at King County and when did you start? I started at King County on Sept. 18 as the Supported Employment Program Manager. The goal of the Supported Employment Program is to create employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities within King County Government. In doing so, we get closer to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. 2. What is your background in supported employment? I was a special education teacher in Seattle Public Schools before joining PROVAIL, a multi-service agency supporting individuals with developmental… Read More
Upcoming employee COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinics
King County is hosting two onsite clinics where employees can get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu. Employees can register for one of the two clinics offering both COVID-19 and flu vaccines scheduled for November. This is the new 2023 monovalent COVID-19 vaccination targeting the XBB 1.5 strain of COVID-19. Learn more and register here.
Helping King County’s older adults prepare for emergencies
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Every September organizations and local governments across the country observe National Preparedness Month to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. This year, the nationwide theme “Take Control in 1, 2, 3” focuses on preparing older adults for disasters, specifically older adults from communities that are disproportionally impacted by hazardous events. To learn more about the Department of Community and Human Services‘ (DCHS) work to prepare older adults for emergencies in King County, Taylor Gaston, the Veterans, Seniors and Human… Read More
Annual Giving Drive: Reasons five through seven to give
The Annual Giving Drive is in full swing so we want to share reasons five, six, and seven on why you should participate. October includes a variety of important national and global causes dedicated to raising awareness and support. Among many of them are World Mental Health Day, Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month, and Disability Employment Awareness Month. There are several organizations in the Employee Giving Program that are leading in these areas, and we’ve highlighted a few in our most recent blog. We look forward to sharing more about the amazing non-profits throughout the drive… Read More
What is KCInform?
It is critical that King County can reach employees during an emergency with timely information about infrastructure disruptions, facility closures, changes in business operations, and other critical impacts. That’s why King County launched KCInform, an alert and notification system for communicating with employees in emergencies. Watch this video find out more about KCInform and learn more in this article. King County will conduct a test of KCInform, on Thursday, Oct. 19 between 9 and 10 a.m.
Twice to the rescue: Water Taxi deckhand helps two people out of Elliott Bay in 24 hours
Crossposted from The Captain’s Blog When you work on vessels such as the King County Water Taxi, the training you get to assist people in possible distress in the water is training you hope never to use. Imagine using the training TWICE in 24 hours. For Water Taxi Deckhand Kelly Phillips, that’s exactly what happened this summer. “It was really surprising! I’ve worked on boats for 14 years, and I’ve never seen anyone fall off the docks like that.” Read more.
King County Sheriff’s Office welcomes new deputies
King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) recently welcomed the newest members to the team after completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA). To become a Sheriff’s deputy, you must complete 720 hours of BLEA training within six months of hire. The 720-hour BLEA is designed to provide recruit officers with the basic knowledge and skills necessary for safe, proper, and effective law enforcement service. King County’s Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams attended the graduating ceremony for the BLEA to recognize the newest King County graduates, including one she knows very well –… Read More
Stay home when you’re sick during cold and flu season
Last fall and winter, you may recall that it seemed like everyone got sick. And not just a little sick—many of us experienced or witnessed our family, co-workers, and friends flattened by illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) which all spread at the same time. Fortunately, this year, we have vaccines for all three of those major illnesses. We also have the tried-and-true precautions which still work to prevent getting sick. 5 ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness during cold and flu season: Get vaccinated…. Read More
My proposed one-year supplemental budget
Dear fellow King County employee, Today I transmitted to the County Council the mid-biennial budget proposal, which revises the County’s 2023-2024 budget that was adopted last fall. This is the first step in a two-month public process, leading to Council adoption in November of a final County budget. As I shared back in April, the county’s general fund is facing a significant shortfall due to the state’s arbitrary and outdated one percent limit on property tax collections – the largest source of revenue for the general fund. This cap, combined with rising inflation and increased costs,… Read More
Onsite flu shot clinics have opened
Getting a flu shot will help to protect you, your loved ones, and your work colleagues from getting sick with the flu this season. King County is hosting onsite flu clinics where employees can get vaccinated. Check out the video below to learn more about onsite flu clinics and register for an onsite flu shot here.
Sheriff’s Office is seeking Community Advisory Board Members
The King County Sheriff’s Office is seeking Community Advisory Board Members. The purpose of the Community Advisory Board is to gather a diverse set of public safety experts and advocates to support and advise Sheriff Patricia Cole-Tindall on creating a just, dynamic, and responsive public safety system. Board members will: Advise the King County Sheriff on policy concepts and implementation. Serve as the community voice on public safety and law enforcement issues. Create a forum for trust building between law enforcement and community. Meetings will be held every other month alternating between… Read More
2023 Nonprofit Expo series begins Oct. 11
In-person nonprofit expos are back! Join the Employee Giving Program to learn about some of the nonprofits engaged in the work you care about or discover something new. Expos will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and are open to all King County employees. No RSVP necessary. Wednesday, Oct. 11: King County Chinook Building Rooms 121-123 Thursday, Oct. 12: King County Elections in Renton, Mt. Rainier Room Tuesday, Oct. 24: King County Courthouse in Seattle, Presiding Judge Courtroom E-942 (9th Floor) Each Nonprofit Expo will feature 15-25 nonprofits and give you the opportunity to learn about the… Read More
Metro’s Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year: Rich Polkinghorn
Crossposted from Metro Matters “Unwavering. A craftsman among skilled craftsmen. A bus-making machine. Best of the Best.” There was no shortage of accolades, affection and appreciation today as King County Executive Dow Constantine and Metro leaders announced Rich Polkinghorn is Metro’s 2023 Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year. Polkinghorn, an East Base mechanic since 2003, was cheered on by family and colleagues as he received the award at a surprise ceremony. Read more.
Chief People Officer featured in blog on transformation of primary care
Crossposted from Balanced You King County’s Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams was featured in a Washington Health Alliance blog post about efforts to transform primary care in Washington State. The article highlights a public/private partnership involving some of the state’s largest employers which aims to build a more effective primary care system for residents and providers. Read more.
2023 Indigenous Peoples’ Day proclamation
King County Executive Dow Constantine, proclaimed Oct. 9, 2023, as Indigenous Peoples Day in King County and encourages all residents to learn about and embrace the historical truths and cultures of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Indigenous Peoples, and to respect their many contributions. Read the full proclamation below.
Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day
On Monday, Oct. 9, King County will recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day to show respect for and celebrate the rich heritage, culture, contributions, and strength of local and regional American Indian, Alaska Native, and Indigenous communities. King County is home to a thriving Native American population from Tribal nations across the country and our region benefits tremendously from the generations of Native American people on whose land we currently live. There are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State; we are on the unceded ancestral lands of the Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie, Puyallup, Tulalip, and… Read More
Test of KCInform employee alert and warning system on Oct. 19
King County will conduct a test of KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system, on Thursday, Oct. 19 between 9 and 10 a.m. as part of the annual Great Washington ShakeOut drill to test earthquake preparedness. KCInform is used to notify County employees of emergency situations, infrastructure disruptions, facility closures, changes in department business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email address are already in the KCInform system. However, please register your County provided cell phone (if applicable) and personal cell phone and email address to ensure you don’t miss important, time-sensitive messages. The service… Read More
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