Featured Headlines
DCHS-led Health Through Housing initiative hits major milestone
In the field with Executive Zahilay: Listening to staff and empowering solutions
Tap to pay: Puget Sound region transit systems to accept credit and debit cards, and digital wallets as fare payment
Major ‘Revive I-5’ repairs continue for Ship Canal Bridge
News
Jackie Moynahan named Interim Division Director of the Housing, Homelessness and Community Development Division
Cross-posted from Cultivating Connections Jackie Moynahan has been appointed as the Interim Division Director of the Housing, Homelessness and Community Development Division (HHCDD) of the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). In this role, she oversees efforts around community development, creating and preserving affordable and special needs housing, housing repair programs, and programs providing housing stability support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Jackie has more than a decade of experience working in affordable housing and began her career in New York City repositioning and preserving struggling affordable housing properties. She has been with the DCHS since 2016. Read the full announcement here.
Equity in Contracting program helps Metro launch innovative, cost-saving bus shelter solution
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express Thanks to the recent Equity in Contracting Executive Order managed by the Department of Executive Services (DES), King County Metro is using innovative contracting techniques to address vandalism at bus shelters and save $1.5 million in replacement costs over ten years. Last year, the King County Council approved legislation that increases contracting opportunities for small businesses owned by minorities, women, and socially and economically disadvantaged people. The county is removing barriers, implementing innovative contracting methods, and taking other actions to make it easier for minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) to… Read More
Health Hero, Debra Baker, reminds us about the ‘Wonder of Now’
For Black History Month, Balanced You is excited to recognize our many talented Black employees in different bodies of work around the county. Health Hero, Debra Baker, is an Organizational Development Lead in the Department of Human Resources. Her work supports departments, teams, and employees across the county by developing organizational health solutions and plans. Debra shares about the concept of ‘beloved,’ understanding yourself as one who is accepted and greatly loved, and she describes the ‘Wonder of Now,’ her tips for being in the moment and practicing self-care. Watch this video to… Read More
Sheriff’s Office Communication Center announces Employees of the Year
Regardless of the type of emergency, virtually every one of them begins with someone dialing 911. In 2021, the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Communications Center answered 527,050 phone calls from people seeking assistance in unincorporated King County and its contract cities. The Center never closes — its employees have been on the job throughout COVID-19, snow storms, forest fires, excessive heat, social protests, and more. To recognize the great work that takes place in this important department, each year employees nominate and vote on their co-workers who best represent the professionalism and dedication required… Read More
Temporary subsidized daily parking starting March 1
King County is temporarily subsidizing half the employee cost of parking at the Goat Hill Parking Garage and King Street Center Garage. The subsidized daily rate will be $10, effective March 1, 2022. This subsidized parking replaces the County’s temporary paid employee parking program, which will end on Feb. 28, 2022. As we begin the gradual transition to our post-pandemic Future of Work model for delivering services, this temporary subsidized rate will be available to employees who elect to drive to downtown Seattle from March 1 through Sept. 2, 2022. Employees who… Read More
Search and Rescue completes avalanche recovery training
Earlier this month, members of the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team completed a comprehensive avalanche recovery and rescue training exercise above the Crystal Mountain Ski Area. The team is comprised of King County deputies and King County Medic One paramedics. Team members hiked to an area southeast of the ski area, made camp, then deployed on various nighttime rescue scenarios. Included in the exercise was searching an avalanche chute for two missing persons for recovery. In this scenario, a victim needed to be dug out of the snow, medically evaluated, and… Read More
Restrictions on in-person work to end for remote workers
By Dow Constantine, King County Executive For almost two years, approximately one-third of our workforce has been working remotely as we fought to slow the spread of COVID-19. Remote work, where possible, has allowed us to continue to deliver our important services to the community while helping to minimize risk for the two-thirds of employees who have been working onsite and in-person throughout the pandemic. Thanks to our vaccine mandate and the success of the booster program, and other precautions King County employees and residents have taken, COVID-19 cases are trending downwards,… Read More
Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention protective measures reduce Omicron outbreak and ensure safety
In response to recent COVID-19 impacts stemming from the Omicron surge, the Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention has prioritized key actions related to the health and safety of employees and people in custody by continuing to maintain modified visitation polices, booking restrictions, and PPE requirements that have been in place since early in the pandemic. See the full news release here.
King County receives Crown Communities Award
American City & County has presented King County with the 2021 Crown Communities Award in recognition for efforts in the fight against COVID-19. This award is testament to the hard work and dedicated service of the employees, community partners and the people of King County. Click here to read the full story.
Youth-produced videos about importance of vaccines for children and young people
King County’s COVID-19 and Health Equity Training and Capacity Building Program works with young people to educate their peers and parents / guardians about COVID and the COVID Vaccine. Magdalene and Yuhaniz are two young people who have worked with PHSKC for seven years doing peer and near-to-peer education on vaccines. They created and produced the following social media videos to support this work with an online strategy that connects well with young people and parents. Watch the videos below to learn more and share on your own social media networks if… Read More
Wastewater could be a great career for you
Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories Wastewater operators watch over large and complex industrial equipment and the flows going through them – from both on-the-ground and from computer monitoring systems. They check readings and take water samples to make sure things are running smoothly – troubleshooting when necessary. They often work as part of a crew, as well as with a larger team. Good operators are hard to find – and desperately needed. They don’t need a college degree or any experience in wastewater, and King County offers an on-the-job training program. Read more here about this… Read More
Honoring Transit Equity Day
Cross-posted from Metro Matters Metro recently recognized the birthday of civil rights hero Rosa Parks. Her quiet act of defiance – refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to a white man in 1955 – is one of the iconic moments in the breaking down of segregation in the south and throughout America. It led to the Montgomery bus boycott, directed by a young pastor, Martin Luther King, Jr. Read more about Transit Equity Day here.
At the Clothing Shop, youth and their families pick out new looks — for free
Cross-posted from King County Superior Court The Clothing Shop is a resource for youth and their families who are involved with the juvenile justice system, as well as any youth in need. The Clothing Shop is set up like a boutique. Garments are hung by style, size and color. The only difference is all the merchandise is free. Young people who need an outfit for a job interview, or to go to court, or even just freshen up their wardrobe can come in and pick out what they want. Click here to read… Read More
King County Deferred Compensation Board seeks employee representative
The King County Employees Deferred Compensation Plan Board is seeking an applicant to fill an open position on the Board. The position is open to current King County employees who are participating in the Employees Deferred Compensation Plan. The term for this position is three years and runs through December 31, 2024. The plan is governed by a nine-member Board, including seven who are current employees and two who are retired. Board expereince is not required, but they Board is looking for a new member who has one or more of the… Read More
Health Hero Kanesa Monroe balances work and parenting in the pandemic
During Black History Month, Balanced You is excited to recognize our many talented Black employees in different bodies of work around the county. Health Hero, Kanesa Monroe, is a single mother and a LAN Administrator Journey with KCIT. In this video, she talks about working on the onboarding management system, while juggling being a mom and making sure her daughter gets the attention she needs. Click here to watch the video to learn more of Kanesa’s story and hear her advice to all parents who are working from home during the pandemic.
Black History Month Stories of Hope: Naisha Williams
The King County MLK Day Committee is sharing Stories of Hope first presented during the 2022 Martin Luther King Day celebration in honor of Black History Month. Watch this video to meet Naisha Williams, a Manager in Public Health working on the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Program, as she shares her story of hope.
Join King County’s ‘Stream Team,’ the environmental scientists who hunt for bugs to monitor the health of local watersheds
King County is tracking the health of local watersheds by deploying a small, elite team of young environmental scientists who capture and study bugs in local streams. Recruiting for the 2022 Stream Team roster begins soon. Each summer, the paid Environmental Aides put on boots and waders to bushwhack their way to 200 streams throughout the county to collect samples as part of an ongoing research project to track trends on water and habitat health. Cick here to watch a video to learn more about the program and how to apply.
Black History is American History — Ride Metro to visit local African American historical sites
Cross-posted from Metro Matters In a collaborative project, community activists, the Black Heritage Society of Washington State and King County Metro created 40 photo murals installed in seven bus shelters in the Central District recognizing the living legacy of African Americans in this community—shelters you of course can reach by bus. Click here to read more about these installations and how to experience other historic locations in the community.
Have you had your COVID-19 booster shot?
Boosters significantly cut down your risk of getting severely ill. You’re eligible for a booster if it’s been at least five months since your primary vaccination series with either Pfizer or Moderna, or at least two months since your Johnson & Johnson vaccination. Free Community Vaccination Centers Community Vaccination Centers are open for first dose, second dose, and boosters for adults and children. Federal Way Performing Arts Center now through Feb. 18, and Feb. 20 to Feb. 28 from noon to 7 p.m. Appointments and drop-ins are welcome. Click here to schedule an appointment. Auburn Community Vaccination… Read More
Executive proclaims February to be Black History Month in King County
King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed February 2022 to be Black History Month in King County. Established in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month is celebrated every February in recognition of achievements by Black Americans and all people of African descent in the United States. The 2022 Black History Month theme, “Black Health and Wellness,” selected by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, honors the legacy of not only Black scholars and practitioners in Western medicine, but birth workers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, and herbalists, and… Read More
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