This Veterans Day, America will pause to honor those who have served in the military. Most Americans hold those who have served in high regard, yet sometimes are unsure how to properly thank a veteran without unintentionally saying the wrong thing, appearing intrusive, or somehow offending them. While it is customary to offer a “thank you for your service” to veterans, if you’re looking for an alternative, you could instead say: “Thank you for putting your life on hold to serve our country.”  “Thank you for the sacrifices you made being away from… Read More

People join the National Guard and Reserves for a variety of reasons. Participating in the Guard and Reserve enables them to continue with their civilian jobs while still serving our country and being part of something greater than themselves. Their success and ability to focus on their varied missions depend on the support they receive not just from their families but also from their employer, direct supervisor, and fellow co-workers. King County is truly proud to have about 100 employees who choose to serve in the National Guard and Reserves. In fact,… Read More

Election Day is coming up fast on Tuesday, Nov. 8. If you have not voted yet, be sure to fill out, sign, and return your ballot as soon as possible. Ballots need to be in a drop box by 8 p.m. sharp on Election Day, Nov. 8, or have a postmark on or before Election Day. Vote Centers open this Saturday, Nov. 5 for those who need in-person assistance. Please remember that employees may not send their ballot to Elections via interoffice mail. They must use a regular mailbox or drop box – no stamp needed…. Read More

Our first priority is your safety and security at work, and we are continuing to partner with law enforcement, community, and other governments to ensure a safer, more welcoming environment in and around our facilities. Here’s another tip to help you stay safe. Walkpooling is a buddy-up initiative that helps employees travel safely by walking to and from work with a buddy. Walkpools are an option if you walk long distances, walk early in the morning or late in the evening, or have to navigate transit stations. Walkpools give you safety in numbers, a… Read More

For the last week of National LGBTQ+ History Month, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group wants to celebrate artist Alok Vaid-Menon. Vaid-Menon is an internationally renowned gender-nonconforming writer and performance artist that uses their platform to advance LGBTQ+ advocacy and understanding. Learn more about Vaid-Menon and other LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history by visiting this calendar celebrating LGBTQ+ History. If you are interested in getting connected to the LGBTQ+ community at King County, consider reaching out to the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at LGBTQ@kingcounty.gov. Learn more about King County Affinity groups at www.kingcounty.gov/AffinityGroups.

Cross-posted from King County Local Services King County Roads Maintenance Section is known for some heavy lifting. Last month they added thousands of pounds of donated food to the list of hefty things they haul in unincorporated King County. This heartfelt act of teamwork and compassion benefits local nonprofit Food Lifeline whose mission is to end hunger in Western Washington. Read more.

Data is a powerful tool that can improve government services and grow equity in our communities. But how we collect and use data is vital to safeguarding people’s privacy. In their bi-annual meeting on Oct. 14, the King County Strategic Advisory Council (SAC) voted to endorse the countywide strategy to build up data governance policies and prioritize data investments. Watch this video message from King County leadership discussing why data is important, and what we’re doing to protect it.

Cross-posted from Public Health Insider The shame and stigma of living with substance use disorder (SUD) have prevented many people from getting the help and support they need. To help reduce the stigma around those experiencing SUD, including alcohol use disorder, Public Health—Seattle & King County and the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) collaborated to launch a new health education campaign. Read more.

King County Elections recently launched ballot alerts, text and email notifications that alert you when your ballot hits a new milestone in the process. From mailed to counted, ballot alerts are the easiest way to know if your vote was counted. You will also get an alert if there is any issue with your signature so you can get it fixed and make your voice heard. Sign up for ballot alerts here, and for more information visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections.