Annual Giving Drive is underway
King County Employee Giving Program’s 2021 Annual Giving Drive has begun, with your opportunity to support an organization that is meaningful to you.
Because we’re inspired by the belief that the actions we take today help build a better future for all, this year's theme is Hope - The best time is NOW!
Find out the many ways that you can take action in support of the participating nonprofits who are doing great work in our community and around the world.
Online Nonprofit Expo: Animals
As in the past, there will be a weekly series of expos that focus on various agencies that could use your support. This week's topic will be programs that support animal welfare:
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Don't wait to get your vaccination verified
The Oct. 18 deadline for getting your vaccination status verified is approaching fast, so make sure you submit your proof of vaccination as soon as possible.
There are a couple of ways to provide proof of vaccination. Click here for more information.
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Test of KCInform employee alert and warning system on Oct. 21
King County will conduct a test of KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system, on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 10:21 a.m. as part of the annual Great Washington ShakeOut drill to test earthquake preparedness.
KCInform is used to notify County employees of emergency situations, infrastructure disruptions, facility closures, changes in department business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email address are already in the KCInform system. However, please register your County provided cell phone (if applicable) and personal cell phone and email address to ensure you don’t miss important, time-sensitive messages. The service is free and your personal contact information is secure and protected.
If you are not currently registered with KCInform, please contact kcinform@kingcounty.gov to request your unique registration link. Visit the KCInform website to learn more, or watch our short video.
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Correction: Cecelia Hayes recipient of Executive's Individual Contributor Award
In our Sept. 30 issue, Cecelia Hayes' name was unintentionally misspelled. Cecelia is the 2020 honoree for the Individual Contributor Award.
COVID Leave criteria, forms, and time codes
King County employees who are represented by a union that has signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or are non-represented can now request up to 80 hours of COVID Leave to use for COVID-19 reasons as listed in the MOA.
Click here to find out more about eligibility and applying for COVID leave.
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Why are we using a public health approach toward eliminating youth in detention?
Cross-posted from Zero Youth Detention
In November 2017, Executive Dow Constantine wanted King County to rethink how juveniles in the area were being detained. System and community partners came together and devised a “public health approach.”
Zero Youth Detention program director Derrick Wheeler-Smith says addressing youth incarceration is a natural fit for Public Health: “Look at the numbers of young people – particularly black and brown young men – whose lives are derailed, uprooted and cut short by the legal system.”
Wheeler-Smith continued by saying: “If people got sick with a disease at the same rate, and with the same negative impacts, we’d call it an epidemic and we’d want the Public Health department to take action. That’s the approach we’re taking in King County.”
Click here to read more and view examples of the public health approach to this issue.
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Universal Design webinar for Disability Awareness Month
The term reasonable modification is something we hear frequently when we talk about providing access to people with disabilities during out meetings, trainings and events. What if we flipped that concept on its head? What if, instead of modifying programming that is designed for the non-disabled so that it works for people with disabilities, we built our programming from the ground up so that all minds and bodies felt valued, seen and heard without the need for significant modification?
Blayne Amson, City of Bellevue Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI Program Administrator, will discuss his work applying the principles of Universal Design to meetings, trainings, and events. Blayne is a powerchair user, holds a masters degree in Disability Studies, and has over 15 years of experience helping the non-disabled adopt an anti-ableist lens in the work they do.
- Wednesday, Oct. 6 from noon to 1 p.m. Register here.
- Please note, there will not be sign language interpretation services for this event as previously announced.
Click here for a list of additional events, and be on the lookout for information in coming Employee News issues about more Disability Awareness Month activities.
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The Importance of Language Access Programs and Bilingualism, Oct. 7
Join King County Latinx and King County’s Department of Public Health for this interactive and informational discussion about our Language Access Team. This event porovides an opportunity to have a relevant conversation about the importance of language access equity and the celebration of bilingualism in the communities we serve.
For more information, contact KCLx Co-Chairs Sabrina Torres at SaTorres@kingcounty.gov, or Margarita Aguado at MAguado@kingcounty.gov.
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Balanced You mindfulness class schedule for Fall 2021
Balanced You is partnering once again with Mindfulness Northwest to offer free mindfulness classes and workshops to King County employees. “COVID-brain” is a term used to describe the fatigue and forgetfulness our minds are experiencing as a result of the stress and anxiety from the ongoing pandemic. Mindfulness is a practice that can help you quiet your mind, find focus and reduce some of the mental strain we are all going through. View the new schedule for mindfulness classes on the Balanced You blog.
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Upcoming webinars for parents
Balanced You would like to highlight two free webinars from our partners. Both webinars will be recorded and sent to all those who registered.
Planning for College 101
The costs of attending college continue to increase, so planning is imperative. This class, presented by My Secure Advantage, will discuss different types of college savings accounts and review the FAFSA financial aid process. Participants will leave this class better prepared to establish and fund their college savings goals.
Navigating Trauma for Kids and Teens
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a traumatic experience for everyone, but kids and teens have felt it especially hard — particularly as it relates to their school experience. Trauma can have varying effects on a child's developing brain, oftentimes significantly impacting their ability to succeed socially, and academically in school. During this Mental Health America webinar, participants will learn the ways in which parents and caregivers can provide support.
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Public Safety Advisory Committee identifies priorities for improving public safety in King County and hiring a new Sheriff
The Public Safety Advisory Committee, appointed in March 2021, has shared with the King County Executive and Council its recommendations and guidance on next steps for the King County Sheriff’s Office, including core values and priority outcomes for improving public safety and a recruitment process for the next Sheriff.
Click here for the full story.
Administrative Professionals Casual Conversations event – Safety and Claims' Disability Services, Oct. 19
This bi-monthly Casual Conversations event will focus on the services provided by Safety & Claims' Disability Services. Join us to learn about King County Disability Services – who they are and what they do.
Tech Tip: Microsoft guest speakers share accessibility tips for Outlook, Teams and Office, Oct. 7
Did you know, 1 out of 5 people have a disability? Accessible technology supports everyone’s needs, whether it’s larger text sizes or closed captioning for online meetings. In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), KCIT invites all King County employees to join our free online training series with our Microsoft partners to discuss accessibility features in Office, Outlook, and Teams. These pro tips are for every body… no technical expertise needed!
Featured Job: PPM II - MIDD Contract Monitor
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King County Headlines
King County health care leaders voice support for new vaccine verification law in joint statement – Cross-posted from State of Reform
Seeking consultants to provide technical assistance and capacity building – Cross-posted from Best Starts for Kids
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