From the Hip: Patty Hayes, Director, Public Health – Seattle & King County

Becoming a trauma-informed organization

Patty Hayes, RN, MN is director of Public Health – Seattle & King County. She is responsible for the operations of the 9^th largest public health department in the U.S. (ranked by population served); a staff of nearly 1500; six divisions; and delivery of public health services to the more than 2 million people who live in and visit King County. Public Health touches King County communities in untold ways, including disease investigation and control, food safety through restaurant inspections, health and wellness services for low income moms, babies, and families; refugee health, emergency medical services, chronic disease and injury prevention, health services for inmates in King County correctional facilities, and much more. Public Health – Seattle & King County is nationally recognized as a leader in implementing innovative public health services, and has a deeply held commitment to delivering high quality and equitable services to all. One recent innovation that Patty is excited about is transforming Public Health into a trauma informed health department. We sat down with her to learn more.

Patty, what does it mean to be a trauma informed organization?

Understanding the widespread impact on health of intergenerational trauma, racism and oppression is core to effective public health work. The  effect that direct and vicarious trauma has on individual, communities, organizations and systems needs to be recognized as a huge impact to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Knowing the potential paths for healing and recovery means that public health must work to be trauma informed and wellness focused in all of our lines of business. Read more.

Volunteer to be a Ballot Drop Box Closer

Support your community and your commitment to public service in a visible and impactful way by volunteering as a drop box closer. Drop box closers are the friendly face the public sees on Election Day and allow voters to experience the excitement and camaraderie of the voting process.

State law requires that ballot drop boxes close at 8 p.m. Election Day. Drop box closers provide customer service and assistance to voters returning their ballots to a drop box on Election night.

King County Elections has rapidly expanded our ballot drop boxes from 10 to 66 over the last three years. Using volunteers increases our operational capacity and offers King County staff an opportunity to volunteer and serve their community in a new and visible way. For the first step in our pilot program, King County Elections is looking for a small number of volunteers to help with the Special Election on April 23, 2019. Learn more.

“What’s My Job?” Public Health project acts on survey results, allows leaders to shadow front-line employees

During 2017, employees from the Public Health – Seattle & King County Community Health Services Division (CHS) suggested their Leadership Team spend more time with CHS employees getting to know them and their work. After viewing the results from the annual employee engagement survey, this seemed like a great opportunity to help leadership learn about the work being done by front line employees and share more information about roles across the division. 

This project became known as “What’s My Job?” and included a member of the CHS Leadership Team spending up to a half-day on the job with employees – observing, helping, participating or discussing (or all of these). CHS Employees were encouraged to submit a request.

“The project does even more than help us know the employees and their work – we also get to understand clients, and it opens pathways for employees to stay in contact with members of the Leadership Team,” said TJ Cosgrove, Director of CHS Division. Read more.

Public Defense creates new post-conviction unit 

Last days to have your say in Employee Survey

There is less than three days to join the more than 7,500 employees who have had their say in the 2019 Employee Engagement Survey and help make King County work better for you. 

We're also approaching the finish line for this year’s Speak Up! participation contest. Here are the current leaders as of Wednesday, March 27:

Applications open for Professional Development Scholarships

As a part of the Master Labor Agreement and Investing in YOU, applications are now being accepted for Professional Development Scholarship Awards for training that occurs anytime between May 17, 2019 and December 31, 2019. This is the third of four application periods this year. The final application period will open on July 8, 2019.

Scholarship awards are only available to King County employees who are represented by a union in the Coalition of Unions and who meet additional eligibility requirements.

Scholarships are intended to support employees in growing their careers at King County. Read more.

Public Health Week events available to employees 

Have a say on Clean Water Plan

King County has started work on a new Clean Water Plan. The plan will guide the County’s work to protect water quality, public health and our environment for decades to come. This is your chance to learn about what we are doing to protect Puget Sound, lakes, rivers and streams and tell us what your priorities are for the future. King County is committed to an inclusive process and will involve all kinds of people. We are going to be sending messages out about our progress, events and workshops. We hope you will want to keep track of what's going on and be involved. Your participation and feedback will help us make the right investments at the right time.

Read more about the project or subscribe to the mailing list

Pet of the Week: Buster

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC 

Buster is a 4 ½ year-old, brown brindle, Pit Bull mix. His personality color is RED, meaning he is a spirited dog with a fun-loving personality. Buster is an energetic guy who would love to be your hiking partner. He would also make a great cuddle buddy and he just adores belly rubs! Read more.