Executive Constantine unveils new national report to tackle mental health crisis
King County Executive Dow Constantine was in Hillsborough County, Fla. last week to unveil a new report from the National Association of Counties (NACo) aimed at improving mental health outcomes and policies.
NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing, which Executive Constantine co-chairs, released its final report on Saturday, titled From Crisis to Solutions: Policy Catalysts for Improved Outcomes. It contains recommendations for federal policymakers and county leaders to address the nation’s mental health crisis.
“We’ve made substantial progress in promoting our priorities for mental health service and policy reform, but there is a lot more to accomplish,” Executive Constantine said. “This report emphasizes crucial data, effective strategies, and recommendations for government at all levels.” Read more.
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IT Helpdesk “walk-up window” now available at King Street Center
For assistance with minor tech issues, Executive Branch employees may visit the new IT Helpdesk Walk-Up Window at King Street Center. Unlike other Helpdesk locations, you can visit the IT Window without an appointment every Mon. – Thur. from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (except for holidays). KCIT’s expert staff can help with quick fixes such as password resets, audio issues, or battery problems. You can also replace basic equipment like a faulty headset, charging cable, keyboard, or mouse by simply exchanging it at the IT Window. Watch this video to learn more.
King Street Center is easily accessible by many convenient transit routes, or take advantage of free valet parking in the King Street Garage for up to one hour. The IT Window is located on the 2nd floor, across the hall from the public Customer Service area. Swipe your badge to enter the doors marked “Employee Access Only – King County Information Technology.”
Launched in 2023, the IT Window is intended for quick fixes only. For services such as undiagnosed computer issues or laptop exchanges, please submit a Helpdesk Ticket.
In their own words: Meet the dynamic AANHP Leadership Council
Since its inception, the American Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pasifika (AANHP) Affinity Group has flourished under exceptional leadership: Sung Cho and Stephanie Santos (2019 – 2020), Renee Hosogi and Phoebe Naguit (2020 – 2022), and Helen Potter and Guru Dorje (2023 – 2024). As we transition into a new phase, a collective decision has been made to establish a joint leadership structure known as the AANHP Leadership Council (ALC). This council aims to honor the collective identity of the AANHP community through collaborative leadership. The ALC comprises the following members:
- Allen Ikua Gomes, Crafts Crew Carpenter at Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Parks Operations Section;
- Mark Manuel, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Manager at Metro;
- Meon Yu, Neighborhood Pop-up Customer Service Coordinator at Metro, Mobility Division;
- Molly Marie Faletufuga, Permit Review Coordinator at the Department of Local Services, Permitting Services Division;
- Tyler Jenicek, Lead Customer Services Coordinator at Metro Transit, Mobility Division; and
- Yingying Huang Fernandes, Service Planning at Metro.
We welcome these new leaders as we learn what motivated each of them to step into their roles and how they plan to lead collaboratively. Read more.
More about the American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika Affinity Group
- The next American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika (AANHP) virtual gathering will take place on Friday, July 19, 2024, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Learn more about King County Affinity groups at www.kingcounty.com/AffinityGroups.
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Remembering DNRP's Steve Bleifuhs
The Seattle Times recently published a tribute for Steve Bleifuhs, a longtime member of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) Water and Land Resources Division leadership team who died July 7 in a small plane crash in Eatonville. The article shares:
Steve Bleifuhs worked as a bicycle mechanic while studying economics at the University of Wisconsin, and later in Seattle’s University District, where he moved to in 1994.
He then started a nearly 30-year career working at the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, where he eventually managed a team of about 70 people.
“Everybody is devastated because of the suddenness” said Josh Baldi, director of the King County Water and Land Resources Division and Bleifuhs’ boss. “We’re going to be processing this for a long time.”
Read more in the original article, Family, friends remember 2 men killed in Eatonville plane crash.
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Balanced You is excited to share that we heard employees’ requests for more class variety to accommodate busy schedules. As such, Balanced You worked with CuriosityBased and SolJoy to offer shorter class options at varied times beginning in August. Initially, all classes will be online and there will be in-person classes in the future. A schedule and class registration for summer 2024 can be found here.
We look forward to offering new mindfulness programing to all King County employees as we continue our mindfulness journey together.
For more information on mindfulness and other offerings, contact Balanced You at balancedyou@kingcounty.gov. Read more.
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Balanced You webinar with Omada: Foods That Fuel Immunity, July 23
Learn how food choices can support your immune health and help prevent type 2 diabetes. Join Omada to discuss how the food we choose each day can help support both our immune health and overall health. You'll learn about vitamins, nutrient-rich foods, and recipes that can help your immune system.
When it comes to protecting your health and preventing type 2 diabetes, what you eat makes all the difference. Learn easy tips and nutritional information to keep you at your best.
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Virtual Lunch and Learn July 30
The Refugees and Immigrants Support and Empowerment (RISE) Affinity Group presents a virtual Lunch and Learn event with King County Department of Human Resources' Career and Culture Division Director Devi Sandhu.
Attendees will explore pathways to career success in public service through connection, learning, and growth.
- Tuesday, July 30 at noon on Microsoft Teams. Join with meeting ID 212 532 516 681, using passcode BytAZA
For questions contact RISE@kingcounty.gov.
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Go Green Night at Movies at Marymoor, July 31
King County Parks is hosting Go Green Night at Movies @ Marymoor on Wednesday, July 31 before the film screening of Barbie.
Go Green Night is a gathering of King County Departments who set up booths and share their sustainability and resilience actions and programs with attendees at a select Movies @ Marymoor event. A ticket to Movies @ Marymoor is required for entry.
Movies @ Marymoor is King County Parks’ outdoor movie events that take place weekly from July 10 through Aug. 28 at King County’s Marymoor Park and include entertainment, food trucks, and big screen movies under the stars. Tickets and more information are available at www.moviesatmarymoor.com.
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Training Spotlights:
Leading for Well-being – Online – Manager support is the most effective way to inspire well-being in the workplace. Workers who feel their employers prioritize workplace well-being are more engaged, more likely to stay, and more likely to recommend the company to others. Leading for Well-being is a live, King County virtual workshop that provides leaders the skills needed to continue to integrate well-being and belonging as foundational pieces of their leadership for effective teams and a thriving workforce.
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Thursday, July 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Enroll here.
Leader Learning Labs – Online – These Leader Learning Labs are facilitated forums for county leaders to practice core skills and dive deeper into Leadership Development and Equity, Racial and Social Justice topics. In this month’s Lab, leaders will get to practice using tools and exercises that harness the collective creativity of their team to solve problems and explore ways that a relational approach can impact decision making and problem solving. Please note, the Equity and Leadership course is a prerequisite. See available dates below, or by clicking here.
- Employees and Teams as Customers – We Focus on the Customer and We are Responsible Stewards – Tuesday, August 27 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Enroll here.
Equity and Leadership Webinar – Online – Created in partnership with the Office of Equity and Social Justice, Equity and Leadership is designed to support participants’ ability to recognize the role that race and racism have on disparities in our workforce and to understand the responsibility for people leaders to create racially equitable work environments for their teams.
Brain-based Planning – Online – Are you overwhelmed by your To Do list(s)? Find out what your brain needs to: keep all your tasks in perspective, prioritize, and have a clear path to get them finished. This class includes information about multitasking, a mindfulness practice to reduce physical stress, and techniques to work with interruptions and distractions. We will also practice effective weekly planning.
Please visit our King County Eventbrite website, our Learning and Development website, and our Career Support Services website for more learning opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
Featured Job: ASIII-Front Desk Lead
Salary: $59,675.20 - $75,649.60 Annually
Location: Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Job Number: 2024AO22085
Department: DPH - Public Health
Division: Community Health Services
Opening Date: 7/16/2024
Closing Date: 7/30/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: C9 : PROTEC17-DPH, DCHS-Admin
The Community Health Services Division of Public Health- Seattle & King County is seeking a full-time Administrative Specialist III-Front Desk Lead, to join our fast-paced, dynamic, multidisciplinary, and diverse team at our Eastgate Public Health Center in the delivery of health services to the County's most vulnerable people. We serve a diverse low-income population including people who are experiencing homelessness, recent immigrants and refugees, people with complex health conditions, and limited English proficiency. Eastgate is one of our largest centers, where we provide Family Health, Pediatrics, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Teen Clinic, Parent-child health, dental, and onsite Insurance Navigator for health insurance enrollment and orca lift. We are Mission-Critical employees who are dedicated to showing up and providing the best care under any circumstances.
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
King County Headlines
DES Express: Route Fifty highlights King County’s climate action to build evidence and equity
Metro Matters: Federal funds to add more battery-electric buses to King County Metro’s fleet
Public Health Insider: 16 King County parks and places to boost your health this summer
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