Resources for caregivers during COVID-19 

A caregiver is anyone who provides help to another person in need, such as an ill spouse or partner, a disabled child, or an aging relative. Employees who are caregivers for adults and elders are some of the unsung heroes of the pandemic. While caregiving can be joyful and rewarding, it can also be overwhelming or stressful for even the most resilient people. The pandemic, which has increased social isolation and decreased or changed availability of social services, has made the role of caregiving even more challenging. 

A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found unpaid adult caregivers are so stressed, they are experiencing disproportionately worse mental health outcomes, increased substance use, and elevated suicidal thoughts. During Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, Balanced You reminds caregivers we are here for you with tips and resources to help you attend to your own emotional well-being and support your caregiving efforts. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for tips and resources. 

Halloween tips from Public Health 

Crossposted from Public Health Insider 

Holidays are going to be different this year, no question about it. But we all need to have some festivity, especially in the midst of the all we’ve had to deal with this year. Halloween has some good celebration options since many activities can be outside and mask wearing is part of the holiday, but there are still some risks with COVID circulating. Public Health has tips to prevent illness, help our community stay on track for reopening, and still retain some of the spooky and sweet flavor of Halloween. 

First, the basics: when planning your Halloween activities, follow the fundamentals of COVID prevention. Limit close contact with other people, limit touching points, and practice good hand hygiene. Read more.  

Emergency Management awarded a grant to plan for catastrophic disasters 

Crossposted from the DES Express 

Following a major earthquake, the supply chain that delivers life-sustaining products to our region will be impacted. King County Emergency Management received nearly $930,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program to establish a framework that lays out alternative modes of delivering these much needed products, specifically using our region’s waterways.

Equity and social justice is a large component of the grant, and the framework will work to ensure that it includes distributing goods and services to the diverse and traditionally underserved populations and communities in the region. The grant is a cross jurisdictional effort including counties, cities, and tribal nations. King County Emergency Management will start this work in early 2021. 

Utility of the Future Today and awards for outstanding performance 

Crossposted from Clean Water Stories 

King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) has received national recognition as a Utility of the Future Today for its beneficial use of Loop® biosolids. WTD is one of 65 water utilities being recognized for transformational work in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients. 

The Utility of the Future Today concept is being promoted as water systems face challenges such as aging infrastructure, water pollution, workforce shortages, and impacts of climate change, including drought, floods, storms, and sea level rise. The Utility of the Future Today program was launched in 2016 by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Research Foundation (WRF) and the WateReuse Association, with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The recognition celebrates the achievements of water utilities that transform from the traditional wastewater treatment system to a resource recovery center and leader in the overall sustainability and resilience of the communities they serve. WTD was recognized in 2016 and 2017 as a Utility of the Future Today, as well. Read more.  

DES featured in new book, “Solving the People Problem” 

Crossposted from the DES Express 

A new book, “Solving the People Problem; Essential Skills You Need to Lead and Succeed in Today’s Workplace,” will be published at the end of the month. The book features several examples of how DES, specifically the Finance and Business Operations Division (FBOD) and the Business Resource Center (BRC), have had success using the tools associated with the DISC profile to improve communication, relationships and productivity. 

The book includes an example of how the BRC has improved communication and increased productivity across the organization, while raising engagement, using the agency-wide DISC assessment and a “Step Up and Step Back” approach. Read more. 

2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan – All employee briefing opportunities, September 29 and October 19 

King County employees are invited to come learn about the County’s proposed 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP) at either of two free, Zoom “Lunch and Learns.” The 2020 SCAP is the County’s five-year blueprint for climate action, integrating climate change into all areas of County operations and work with King County cities, partners, communities, and residents. The plan outlines King County’s priorities and commitments for climate action for decision-makers, employees, partners, and the public. On August 27th, Executive Constantine transmitted his recommended plan to the County Council.  

All King County employees are invited to participate in either of two briefings to get an overview of the new plan, priorities, and the work ahead. Registrants will receive a link to the Zoom meeting by email a few days before the event.