Metro HR employee athlete competing in 2018 Special Olympics USA Games July 1-6 in Seattle
The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be held in Seattle and King County during the first week of July, and – in addition to being a public partner of the games – King County is proud to have employees participating! Jonathan Leckband, Office Assistant with the Department of Transportation, is one of the employees who will be competing in the games. He is a soccer player who will be representing the State of Washington during the Seattle- and King County-hosted games. More than 4,000 athletes and coaches representing each state and… Read More
King County’s Supported Employment Program recognized by Washington Autism Alliance & Advocacy
Washington Autism Alliance & Advocacy recognized King County’s efforts in supported employment “for the County’s commitment to increasing the number of individuals hired with developmental disabilities,” at an event on Thursday, March 15. On behalf of King County Executive Dow Constantine, the County’s Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams accepted the recognition during the WAAALL of Impact Benefit Luncheon at The Rainier Club in Seattle. “At King County, we have a strong commitment to hiring a workforce that is truly reflective of our community and those we serve,” Whitney told attendees at the… Read More
Employee models recovery to empower others
In celebration of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we share a story focusing on employment and behavioral health. Meet Mindy. Mindy is one of the newest King County employees within the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD). Mindy has a Master’s degree from Brigham Young University and has worked at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Harborview Medical Center. She is also someone with a chronic mental health condition who has participated in BHRD’s Supported Employment Program. “I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at age eight. In college,… Read More
Breaking down barriers with Supported Employment
King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County government. King County is celebrating Disability Awareness Month in October and recognizing the work that County employees do to serve and support people with disabilities in our community, including the Supported Employment Program. Many divisions have partnered with Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager, to hire through the Program to meet their business needs. Recent hiring Departments and Divisions include: Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks in the Solid Waste, Wastewater and Parks Divisions, Dept…. Read More
Breaking down barriers with Supported Employment: Ting Chou
Ting Chou is a 17-year King County employee in the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention whose positive attitude and work ethic spreads sunshine through the correctional facility walls. Ting is a supported employee through King County’s Supported Employment Program, which matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County government. He is proud of everything the program has helped him to achieve. “If you set a goal for it then you can accomplish a lot of new goals and achievements,” said Ting. Watch the short video below… Read More
The Kitsap County Civilian Navy visits King County to learn about Supported Employment
In June 2016, King County hosted the Kitsap County Civilian Navy to share best practices about supported employment in order to assist them to grow and develop their own Supported Employment Program. During the Navy’s visit they toured the workplaces of three employees: Jennifer in DES Records and Licensing Division, Tony in DPH Financial and Administrative section, and Kirsten in DCHS Community Services Division, who showcased their work. Debra Wood, Kirsten’s supervisor, states, “It’s been wonderful to see Kirsten grow. [The Supported Employment Program] is a terrific! I want everybody who has… Read More
Inclusion Works!
In observation of King County’s Disability Awareness Month, we would like to highlight a success story in progress …and an employer who is taking steps to ensure a more inclusive and diverse workforce that recognizes the professional contributions of individuals with behavioral health disabilities. Meet Nick… Nick is an Inventory Specialist at Amazon who ensures that multiple Amazon locations are fully stocked with supplies for his hard-working colleagues. He recently celebrated nine months as a full time Amazonian, and has received praise from his supervisors. Nick moved to Seattle in 2006, looking… Read More
Disability doesn’t stop dancing employee
If you happen to see a man busting a move while cleaning up hedge trimmings or emptying a trash can at Marymoor Park, it’s probably Parks Specialist Dwight Lewis. Dwight has been with parks for 17 years and his enthusiasm for the work is showing no signs of waning. “He actually makes people on our crew want to be better at what they do,” Andy Boland, Parks Maintenance Coordinator, said. “He pushes us, he comes in with a lot of energy, positive attitude, and it’s really what we need; he’s a spark… Read More
Breaking down barriers with Supported Employment: Jodeen Wieser
Jodeen Wieser is a 20-year employee with King County’s Environmental Lab, a Lab Assistant who performs a wide range of essential tasks that help the Lab do its work of collecting, analyzing and monitoring samples that protect our local environment. Jodeen is also a supported employee through a King County program that pairs her with a job coach to help with learning new skills, communication and any other issues that arise. “When you meet someone with a disability that maybe is a different picture of what you thought someone was or what… Read More
Celebrating 10 years of helping youth with disabilities find jobs
With more than 1,100 students served over 10 years, King County’s School-to-Work program has plenty of reasons to celebrate. On October 12, 2015, as part of National Disability Employment Awareness month, the Department of Community and Human Services Developmental Disabilities Division celebrated 10 successful years of the program and 1,136 students served by hosting a gathering of partners and stakeholders at the Southcenter Double Tree. “The School-to-Work Program helps youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout King County seek and gain employment prior to exiting their high school transition programs,” Richard Wilson,… Read More
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