Vehicle Maintenance Community Connection for women, binary, and non-binary folks seeking VM members

The King County Vehicle Maintenance Community Connection (VMCC) group is building community among the women, trans women, and nonbinary people in Metro Transit’s Vehicle Maintenance (VM) Division.   The mission is to build a sustainable and structured support group where measurable outcomes build community among the women in VM to deconstruct loneliness. The group seeks to understand what it would take to support the current women in VM, and prepare to support future women hired into VM. The group also provides education about the resources available for personal and professional growth. Together, members in… Read More

Elections partners with King County’s Supported Employment Program

There are 1.4 million registered voters in King County. Voter registration in the Department of Elections is an intense, customer service focused team tasked with ensuring county residents get to exercise their right to vote. Handling phone calls, emails, in-person visitors, and thousands of online registration updates keeps this team in constant motion. When Kim Streeter, a Program Supervisor for the Department of Elections, was approached by King County’s Supported Employment Program to hire staff for a pilot program, it seemed like a great fit for all parties. King County’s Supported Employment Program matches… Read More

Supported employee takes pride in his work, shares joy with community

The Supported Employment Program (SEP) provides employment opportunities within King County government to people with disabilities. With an assigned job coach, and supportive supervisors and team members, participants are encouraged to fulfill their potential, pursue career goals, and thrive in a helpful environment. One employee within the Supported Employment Program who enjoys his work and the chance to make a difference is Naveed Labib, an Office Assistant in the Transit Facilities Division of the Metro Transit Department. Naveed has been with King County since January 2018. While some of his duties include… Read More

School-to-Work Transition Fairs go virtual in 2021

Since 2005, in response to community need, the King County School-to-Work Program (S2W) has partnered across numerous organizations to help students with developmental disabilities seek and gain employment before they leave their high school programs. This year, S2W is excited to present its Annual Transition Fair exclusively online. As in previous years, the highly anticipated event is offered to the entire community – families, teachers, local agencies, and potential employers. The Transition Fair is designed to help students with developmental disabilities find employment before leaving their high school programs. Register now Participants… Read More

Roads Services Division receives Public Employer of the Year Award 

On Oct. 27, the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment (GCDE) held their 28th annual Governor’s Awards, which recognizes outstanding employers in the public and private sector who recruit, retain and advance individuals with disabilities and demonstrate best practices in the workplace. The Public Employer of the Year Award went to King County Roads Services Division for their dedication and support of Matt Everson, an employee in King County’s Supported Employment Program. This is the first time King County has received the Public Employer of the Year Award and the second… Read More

Metro celebrates the Americans with Disabilities Act’s 30th Anniversary 

King County Metro celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Proudly committed to mobility innovations, our entire Metro bus fleet is ADA accessible. Allowing our riders with disabilities to travel with independence ensures all of us are moving forward, together.  

Celebrating 30 years of the ADA 

This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law in 1990 by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush. Here at King County we’ve worked to provide everyone equal access to employment, transportation, housing, education, health care, recreation, and community life.  On July 26, 2020, we celebrate thirty years of progress in access and inclusion, and renew our commitment to making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. For more information about the ADA and how can get involved in King County’s efforts to celebrate… Read More

Creating efficiencies through Supported Employment

King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to available jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County departments. The program allows each department to review its standard work practices utilizing Lean principles. A job coach is also available to help supported employees thrive in the workplace. Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager shares how meaningful this can be in several ways. “When creating opportunities to be more inclusive with our hiring we are also creating efficiencies and cost savings in departments,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to get… Read More

Meaningful program creates workplace efficiencies and opportunities for employees 

King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to available jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County departments. The program allows each department to review its standard work practices utilizing Lean principles. A job coach is also available to help supported employees thrive in the workplace.   Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager shares how meaningful this can be in several ways.  “When creating opportunities to be more inclusive with our hiring we are also creating efficiencies and cost savings in departments,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to get… Read More

From Supported Employment Participant to Behavioral Health Division Employee  

King County is celebrating National Recovery Month this September by helping to raise awareness, support, and recovery resources for people with mental health and substance use conditions and their families, friends and co-workers who support them. One program that provides behavioral health supports is the Behavioral Health Supported Employment Program. This program assists people who have experienced chronic mental health and/or substance use conditions to gain and maintain competitive, integrated employment throughout our region. The program provides job search assistance and ongoing support after job placement through an evidence-based, integrated team approach with… Read More