Watch the 2021 State of the County address today at 1 p.m.

King County Executive Dow Constantine will deliver his 2021 State of the County address today, May 11 at 1 p.m. and employees are invited to watch the address live. 

You can watch Executive Constantine discuss his key priorities for King County in his State of the County address on this webpage and on KCTV Channels 22 and 322 (HD). The Executive’s remarks will begin a little after 1 p.m. 

Executive Constantine proclaims May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders' Month

King County Executive Dow Constantine has issued a Proclamation encouraging all King County residents to honor the invaluable contributions and leadership of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders across King County, whose communities are diverse and distinct in culture, ethnicity, history, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, and a variety of complex identities. Read the full proclamation here.

Thanking law enforcement colleagues during National Police Week

This week – May 9 through May 15 – is National Police Week, and we want to take this opportunity to thank our law enforcement colleagues at the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) and recognize them for their service.

KCSO has more than 1,000 employees providing law enforcement services to over half a million people in unincorporated King County and 12 contract cities. The KCSO also provides police services for the Muckleshoot Tribe, Metro and Sound Transit, and the King County International Airport.

President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week in 1962 to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. 

KCSO Deputies and professional staff have continued to provide high quality law enforcement services under challenging circumstances throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and this week, during National Police Week, we thank them for their ongoing service to the people of King County.

RASKC celebrates World Reading Day

Reposted from Executive Services Express

For the second year in a row, staff at Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) are getting creative reaching out to kids online during COVID-19. There’s a new twist for World Reading Day this year, which was April 23.

Last year, when COVID-19 hit, volunteers and staff at RASKC were no longer able to engage with kids through the volunteer program or various community outreach activities. So staff rallied around a new idea: they recorded themselves reading a book.

View the full story here.

Mandatory telework to end July 5, 2021

King County Executive Dow Constantine recently announced the end to mandatory telework for King County employees. 

Click here to read the full message and learn about the plans for returning to onsite working.  

Mental Health Month week two: Dealing with anger and frustration

For the second week of Mental Health Month, Balanced You is focusing on the topic “dealing with anger and frustration.” Anger and frustration are complicated emotions that can stem from disappointment, fear, and stress.

They are both common emotional responses everyone faces. If these feelings become too intense, they can lead to mental and physical distress, and cause problems in relationships. Learning to cope with these thoughts can train your brain to think differently and improve your overall mental health and well-being.

Read this week’s blog post for practical tips on how to cope with feelings of anger and frustration.

How to Preserve Your Mental Health in an Ongoing Pandemic

Balanced You presents a panel discussion on May 20 about Mental Health during an Ongoing Pandemic. 

All King County employees are invited to our Mental Health Month webinar, “How to Preserve Your and Your Loved Ones’ Mental Health in an Ongoing Pandemic.” 

As the pandemic continues and too many tragedies have occurred, it is important we protect our mental health and that of those we love.

Join us and a dynamic panel of speakers for this important discussion.

• Thursday, May 20 from 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Register here

Free Virtual Mindfulness Class this Friday: Mindful Eating

Balanced You is partnering with Mindfulness Northwest to offer free mindfulness workshops to King County employees.

Join us on Friday, May 14 for the Mindful Eating workshop. Mindful Eating brings mindfulness to food choice and the experience of eating. Mindful eating helps us become aware of our thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations related to eating, reconnecting us with our innate inner wisdom about hunger and satiety.

We’ll explore mindfulness and how its application to eating helps us become wiser and more joyful in our approach to eating.

• Friday, May 14 from 12–2 p.m.
• Register here

View the full spring Mindfulness Class Schedule here.

Administrative Professionals networking event

This program is dedicated to providing resources and opportunities for administrative professionals to develop and enhance skills, and receive recognition for the important work administrative professionals do.

• Tuesday, May 25 at 12 p.m.
• Register here

Featured Job: Spanish Speaking Medical Interpreter/Translator for COVID-19 Response