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Emerging Metro leader who lifts community voices is recognized for completing Ruth Woo fellowship
Crossposted from Metro Matters Metro is proud to announce Alex Madrigal Ramirez’s participation in King County’s 2022-2023 Ruth Woo Emerging Leader Fellowship program. “Alex has also taken a leadership role in launching Metro’s first Employee Resource Group dedicated to immigrants and refugees, and he is the voice of Metro in onboard announcements about the Free Youth Transit Pass,” said Rachel Wilch, a Metro Government Relations Administrator. Ramirez called the fellowship an amazing career development opportunity. Read more.
PeopleSoft outage Friday, Aug. 11 at 3 p.m.
To allow for system maintenance, the PeopleSoft system will not be available starting on Friday, Aug. 11 at 3 p.m. and is scheduled to be back online by 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 14. During this planned outage, the Business Resource Center (BRC) will apply vendor updates and maintenance. The system will not be available for access by any County staff during this outage window. There will be a communication sent out to all County staff when the system becomes available. This outage impacts all PeopleSoft users. Your understanding and support is… Read More
Women in trades: Ivy Schmitz
Crossposted from the Metro Layover Employee Newsletter Meet Ivy Schmitz. She works as a Utility Laborer in our Transit Facilities Division (TFD). Ivy is one of the 6.2% percent of women who make up the female workforce in the transit trades industry. This industry has traditionally been viewed as a male-dominated field, with women facing educational and training barriers, an unwelcoming workplace culture and environment, and lack of awareness and exposure to the possibility of employment in the trades. Ivy first joined Metro as a Maintenance Crew member in South Facilities and then… Read More
Employees being contacted by firm purporting to represent King County retirement and financial plans
Recently, several employees have reported being contacted by a representative of Equitable financial services, stating that they represent King County employee retirement plans and attempting to get the employees to provide their personal financial information. Equitable does not represent any King County retirement or financial programs and is not a provider of any King County retirement or financial plans. Keep in mind, representatives for King County retirement and financial plans will not call you unsolicited. For security purposes it is recommended that you not give out any personal information to anyone you did… Read More
Administrative Professional Partners benefits employees
Since 2016, the Administrative Professionals Development and Recognition Program has forged pathways for the development and recognition of administrative professionals. Meg Chambers, an administrative professional with the Department of Public Health, says, “The Administrative Professionals Program has made a huge influence on my career at King County. I have had the opportunity to work with other admin professionals to have a diverse set of experiences and perspectives, which has both helped me professionally as another admin professional and provided me with a support network of people who are doing similar work to… Read More
Mad scientist in the woods? Or, just another day at Vashon Treatment Plant
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories Blink and you’d probably miss the driveway into Vashon Treatment Plant. Everything about this plant is pint-sized, a much scaled-down version of the massive clean water facilities servicing the mainland. Despite the solitude, a lot happens in this quiet, serene spot in the woods where all the wastewater going down the drains of more than 1,000 people on the island ends up. Elizabeth Corliss has been at the helm of Vashon Treatment Plant for four years now. Everyone calls her Lizzy. She grew up on Vashon and… Read More
King County invests $30 million to strengthen behavioral health workforce and increase access to services
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced an investment of $30 million in partnership with the five managed care organizations of the innovative King County Integrated Care Network, resulting in a 15 percent Medicaid rate increase to help stabilize the behavioral health system in the region. Investing in the behavioral health workforce is a key component of the Crisis Care Centers initiative and is central to King County’s efforts in addressing a crumbling behavioral health system and increasing access to services and treatment. The 15 percent Medicaid rate increase is applicable to all… Read More
EvergreenHealth may be out-of-network starting Sept. 1, 2023
If you are a member of the Regence KingCare PPO medical plan, and you see medical providers who are part of the EvergreenHealth network, please note the following information about their contract with Regence BlueShield. Leaders from Regence and EvergreenHealth are currently in extended contract negotiations. Both organizations are working to reach an agreement before their current contract ends Sept. 1. Here is what you need to know: Most provider-health plan contract negotiations are resolved with no service disruptions and no provider network changes. If an agreement between EvergreenHealth and Regence is… Read More
New requirement to report lump sum payments to the Division of Child Support
According to House Bill 1262, additional income reporting requirements became effective for Washington employers on July 23, 2023. Employers are now required to report lump sum payments of $500 or more to the Washington State Division of Child Support (DCS) before the lump sum is paid to the employee. This requirement applies to only those employees with a current WA Income Withholding Order that includes a payment for past-due child support. The reporting requirement applies to lump sum payments of $500 or more includes, but is not limited to: Retro pay, cash out of… Read More
Pacific Northwest Admin Awards Nominations Close Aug. 9
The third annual Pacific Northwest Admin Awards nomination period ends Aug. 9. Admin Awards is a nationally recognized public celebration of administrative excellence reserved for extraordinary Administrative Professionals. Click this link to submit a nomination. The nomination form includes the option of submitting nominations for the nine individual award categories and one company award category. Finalists and awardees will be announced during the Admin Awards Gala in September. Visit the Admin Awards website for more information.
Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month, May – June 2023
Crossposted from Metro Matters They are fitness enthusiasts and bicycle and motorcycle fans. Some always wanted to be behind the wheel, others came because they enjoy serving the public and getting people where they need to go. They are our “rolling ambassadors,” the kind, courteous and helpful smile that greets you every day when you ride with us. They represent over 150 years of driving experience. The operators who drive your bus are as unique as you, and all of them love driving and giving back to their community. Meet your Operators… Read More
CHOMP!, King County’s local food celebration, returns to Marymoor Park with tasty food, live music, sustainable workshops, and free family activities
CHOMP!, King County’s celebration of local food and sustainable living, returns Aug. 19 to Marymoor Park in Redmond with live music from Blind Boys of Alabama, plus a full day’s worth of free, fun activities for all ages. Activities will start at 10 a.m. and include a farmers market, local food vendors, tree climbing, NW Kung Fu lion dance, petting zoo, a fix-it fair, and scavenger hunt. Bring your gardening questions for Washington State University Master Gardener volunteers or make your own seed balls to take home. Read more in the full press release.
Ending the HIV epidemic: King County’s new Heroes Award
Crossposted from Public Health Insider In February 2019, the U.S. federal government announced the Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America (EHE) – with a goal to decrease new HIV infections in the U.S. by 75% by 2025 and 90% by 2030. The initiative aims to capitalize on scientific advances in HIV diagnosis, treatment, and prevention to accelerate national progress in controlling the now 40-year-old HIV epidemic. The plan directs resources to geographic areas in the U.S. with the largest number of new HIV diagnoses each year. King County is one of the 57 regions funded…. Read More
Metroadeo veteran Tammy Klein reclaims title
Crossposted from Metro Matters Our operators are the best when it comes to handling large vehicles in tight spaces, but how do you determine the “best of the best?” You hold a “Roadeo!!” In June, some of King County Metro’s top operators came to Metro’s South Base for our “Metroadeo,” the annual transit Olympics for some of Metro’s most skilled drivers. Operators maneuver their buses through left and right turns, passenger stops and tight spaces, taking care to adjust speeds and set up just right to perform each maneuver. It’s all scored… Read More
King County makes historic investment to tackle Racism as a Public Health Crisis with $25 million in grants to more than 120 small businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations
King County Executive Dow Constantine and fellow co-chairs of the Gathering Collaborative, Dr. Ben Danielson and Abigail Echo-Hawk, announced $25 million in grants awarded to 123 nonprofits, community organizations, and small businesses to advance the work of addressing racism as a public health crisis in the region. Since March 2022, King County and the co-chairs have met weekly with the Gathering Collaborative, a group of diverse and trusted community members, to co-create the grant program. The Collaborative is the result of reimagining a different grants process in partnership with Black and Indigenous communities, and to… Read More
King County Security Tips – Keep Devices and Software Up to Date
You know that little pop-up prompting you to restart your computer for a software update? The one that only seems to come up when you’re in the middle of something important? As annoying as it may seem, this notification is actually a valuable asset to your cybersecurity. So, before you click the “Later” option, let’s take a closer look! What is a software update? A software update is a new and improved version of a program, application, or operating system that you are already using. The update may include new features, bug… Read More
A llama-zing story
Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office newsletter On July 15, the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Communications Center received a call from a delivery driver stating that he was unable to deliver a package due to a llama standing in the middle of the road and blocking traffic. Deputy Connor Paczosa responded to the location and sure enough, found said llama in the roadway refusing to move. Using his de-escalation skills and standing just a tad over spitting distance, Deputy Paczosa was able to sweet talk him into putting on a… Read More
Best Starts 2022 Annual Report and Data Dashboard is now live
Crossposted from the Best Starts for Kids blog In 2022, Best Starts for Kids expanded into new investment areas, responding to community input and need, including funding equitable access to high quality, affordable, and well-compensated child care. Best Starts launched an equity-centered capital program to build, repair, and expand community spaces to better serve communities. Best Starts extended contracts to support continuity of services, offered 34 funding opportunities, and distributed over $110 million to community partners. Best Starts partnered with more than 450 community-based organizations operating more than 500 programs to reach over 264,000… Read More
Metro and ATU reach tentative agreement for new contract
By Michelle Allison, General Manager, King County Metro Recently, King County Metro and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587 reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract. This achievement marks a key milestone in our longstanding partnership and shared commitment to invest in the County’s largest and the country’s finest public transportation workforce. ATU will be providing members with more details about the contract as they prepare to vote on the agreement. Once ATU members approve the contract, it will move to the King County Council for consideration before being ratified… Read More
New program bridges gaps to meet the health and wellness needs of King County’s veterans
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Many of America’s veterans, servicemembers, and their family members face challenges in accessing healthcare and wellness supports. Often times, challenges arise due to gaps in eligibility for health coverage, difficulties navigating large healthcare systems such as the VA, and the complexities in applying for and receiving disability benefits. Since 2005, the King County Veterans Program (KCVP), the nation’s strongest local veterans program, has supported King County veterans, servicemembers, and their families through a range of financial assistance, employment and job training supports, housing resources, mental health counseling, and social engagement… Read More
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