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Help reduce the spread of airborne illnesses by improving indoor air quality
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider By now you may have heard that we’re experiencing high cases of flu and RSV (a respiratory disease), with young children being hospitalized. With cold weather, we spend more time inside, which increases the potential for another surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the coming months. Diseases like RSV, the flu, and COVID-19 are airborne and spread easily indoors. With that in mind, it’s important to pay attention to indoor air quality. Read more.
Free COVID-19 tests available while supplies last
During the cold and flu season, it’s a good idea to test yourself regularly for COVID-19 whenever you start not feeling well or before visiting groups of people indoors. There are free COVID-19 tests available while supplies last at www.covidtests.gov or sayyescovidhometest.org. Manufacturers now say the tests are good for 12 months.
Shop with a Cop events create smiles and connections
Cross-posted from the Sheriff’s Office newsletter The annual Skyway Shop with a Cop event was held recently at the Renton Walmart. Over 80 children and their families showed up and were warmly greeted by volunteers and deputies from around the agency. Each registered child was paired with a deputy to walk through the store to select the child’s choice of items. The event was supported by the Alajawan Brown Foundation. The Covington Shop with a Cop event also took place at the local Walmart. This year, approximately 180 children participated, with each child given approximately… Read More
Records Management’s Jacqueline Tabor performs jazz in Japan
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express Jacqueline Tabor, a member of the Records Management Program Team in Records and Licensing (RALS), recently returned from a whirlwind five-day Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association delegation trip marking the 65th anniversary of the sister city relationship. Read more.
Restored upstream salmon habitat begins a decade of projects to open streams and rivers
Executive Dow Constantine recently announced significant gains this year by King County to restore access to high-quality salmon habitat, and that the county will soon embark upon a decade of projects to reopen at least 50% of the stream habitat currently blocked by county-owned roads and trails. The team of experts guiding King County’s Fish Passage Restoration Program estimates that by 2032 these projects will allow access for native salmon to freely swim to more than 250 stream miles. Read more and watch the video.
King County’s Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan Highlights
In 2016, King County launched its Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, which has informed the direction for the County’s equity, racial, and social justice work since its development. To share just some of that work, King County has created the “ESJ Strategic Plan Highlights” – an online, interactive approach to presenting some of the County’s significant initiatives, efforts, and investments towards becoming anti-racist and pro-equity. Watch this video for an overview of the highlights with King County Executive Dow Constantine and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Anita Whitfield. Spend time exploring the entire report to… Read More
Be prepared for cold temperatures, snow, and possible freezing rain
Extremely cold temperatures, snow, and possible freezing rain are forecast for our region this week, so please be prepared for possible commute delays and impacts to business operations. If you work on site, please be prepared for cold weather. Have a plan for your commute, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making commute decisions. If you drive, have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including extra clothing, food, water, and a flashlight. Power outages: If you are teleworking and experience a power outage that affects your ability to effectively work remotely,… Read More
Inclusive All People Restrooms coming to Chinook and King Street Center
After many years of employee advocacy, King County is expanding the number of inclusive restrooms. Transgender and gender expansive employees have highlighted the need to create more inclusive restroom access where employees do not need to choose between gender-specific restrooms. To advance this effort, the county will update sets of restrooms on the 5th and 12th floors of the Chinook Building and the northeast set of restrooms on the 3rd floor of the King Street Center to All People Restrooms. In this first phase, the Facilities Management Division (FMD) will install privacy… Read More
New resources help managers and teams navigate project work
The Project Management Team (PMT) in the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget has developed a set of tools, templates, and processes to guide project managers across King County in navigating project work. Whether you are a designated project manager or someone who manages projects from time to time, these resources will support you and your team through your project work: A 13-minute video introduces the Project Management Team’s standard work and provides an overview of the required minimum standards for PMT-assigned projects. These tools and templates help project teams plan and implement their projects. To… Read More
Focus on Financial Goals in 2023
Whether you are building a budget, planning for a large purchase or thinking about retirement, My Secure Advantage (MSA) has money coaches available to help you and your family. King County employees get 90 days of money coaching every year. Read more on the Balanced You blog.
King Street Center information session recordings available
Nearly 550 King County employees recently joined information sessions about upcoming changes at King Street Center and across the downtown campus. For those who were not able to attend, or attendees who want to review the information shared, you can now access the recorded sessions and related materials. Recording of Session 1 Recording of Session 2 Slide deck Audience Q&A, including follow-up on questions that weren’t answered live
Drew Thompson, finalist for the Clean Tech Alliance Energy Leadership JEDI Award
Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories Drew Thompson, Resource Recovery Project Manager for King County Wastewater Treatment Division, was recently a finalist for the 2022 Energy Leadership JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Award. The award, given by the Clean Tech Alliance, recognizes those who perform outstanding work to make the energy sector more equitable, support climate justice and diversity in the sector, and foster an inclusive ecosystem. Read more.
Christine Oh named new Director of Risk Management
Christine Oh has been selected as the new director of the Office of Risk Management Services (ORMS) in the Department of Executive Services (DES). She begins her new position on Dec. 24. “Christine has the experience, professionalism and management skills to lead the Office of Risk Management Services into the future,” said Caroline Whalen, Director of DES. “She brings both continuity and a new perspective to the county’s nationally recognized program.” Christine has been serving as Interim Director for ORMS since Jennifer Hills took a new position as Deputy Chief Operating Officer… Read More
Coast Salish Ways: Cultural practices woven across generations
Fellow King County colleagues Annie Kirk and Bryon Davis show us the importance of place and connection to culture, land and water as being essential to how they move through this world. A practice not done simply for one’s own, or families benefit but also an honoring, reclaiming, and living of cultural practices on behalf of future generations and the continuation of life in balance. With this video we can see the importance of storytelling, language learning, practicing traditional arts and crafts, and canoe journey serving as a bridge for the spirit… Read More
King County and Chief Seattle Club announce first residents moving into new Health Through Housing building in Pioneer Square
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the latest opening for Health Through Housing: Salmonberry Lofts, a newly constructed building providing 76 units of permanent supportive housing in Pioneer Square. The building will welcome the first residents later this month and is being operated by Chief Seattle Club, an organization with a local footprint in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. Read more.
Leave donation programs updated for 2023
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, King County’s donated leave programs are being replaced by two similar programs that better comply with IRS tax requirements. This includes the employee-to-employee donation program and the Emergency Leave Donation Fund started during COVID-19 pandemic. Donating leave Employee-to-Employee Medical Donated Leave Program: You can donate leave to another employee as follows: Any amount of your accrued vacation time and up to 25 hours of your sick leave per year, as long as you have 100 hours or more of sick leave remaining. Emergency Medical Leave Fund: You can… Read More
Compassion fatigue and burnout: What they are and how to recover
The ongoing pandemic and seasonal illnesses, stressful end-of-year work assignments, additional holiday activities – these and other factors can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout. Understanding the cause of compassion fatigue and burnout is essential in protecting yourself from these common conditions. There are numerous techniques and tips for how to prevent this from happening to you. Read more.
Sheriff’s Office HR Heroes
Cross-posted from Sheriff’s Office Weekly Newsletter General Counsel Erin Overbey and Chief Jeff Flohr, Technical Services Division, recently presented the King County Sheriff’s Office Human Resources team with a Meritorious Service award for their service and dedication the past few years. This group navigated ever-changing protocols and worked on expediting the background process to improve hiring practices, all while never compromising the standards and core values of the Sheriff’s Office. According to Chief Flohr, this team is always quick to respond to requests, research problems that arise, and smooth out problems. And they… Read More
Executive Constantine proclaims ‘Terry White Day’ for retiring Metro General Manager
In celebration of the retirement of King County Metro General Manager Terry White, King County Executive Dow Constantine declared Dec. 12, 2022, as “Terry White Day” in King County. White was recognized by the County Executive for understanding the power of transit to “help build healthy communities, a thriving economy and a sustainable environment.” Read more.
Local health care leaders recommend wearing masks indoors
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider Communities across Washington and around the U.S. are experiencing an unprecedented surge in viral respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and COVID-19. Health officers and health care leaders working to improve the health of Washington residents recommend that everyone wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask when around others in indoor spaces to protect against both acquiring and spreading these infections to others. Read more.
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