First-ever Juneteenth flag-raising at King County

Crossposted from the DES Express

For the first time ever, King County raised a Pan-African Flag over the Administration Plaza as part of a celebration of Juneteenth – Freedom Day. After a few brief speeches, participants broke into song at the event on June 18, singing the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900.

The flag waved proudly over the Plaza through June 19 to commemorate the first Juneteenth celebrations that took place in 1866, a year after Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, to share the news of the Emancipation Proclamation following the Civil War. The Proclamation declared that “all persons held as slaves” in states that had seceded from the Union “are, and henceforth shall be free.” The Emancipation Proclamation itself was signed on January 1, 1863, more than two and a half years prior. News of the Proclamation had been kept from people who were enslaved.

Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in 2021, and has been an official holiday for King County employees since 2022. Watch a brief summary of the event here, and watch the entire flag raising here. 

Wellness Hero Velda Alexander

Balanced You Wellness Heroes highlights employees doing things to better their lives, the lives of their colleagues, and our community.

Meet Wellness Hero Velda Alexander, King County Metro Transit Operator. In this video she talks about her  experience as a Metro bus driver, what keeps her grounded at work, what she does for self-care, and more. Check out the video of Velda below.

We want to hear your stories! If you have a wellness story or want to nominate a fellow co-worker you know to be a Wellness Hero, please send us an email at
BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov. Wellness Heroes can be anyone who has used a King County or Balanced You resource to nurture their well-being.

Reducing lead in cookware leads to BRG Innovation Award for Equity, Racial & Social Justice

Learn about Designated Crisis Responders in King County  

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections

When a person is in a mental health or substance use crisis, law enforcement or emergency medical services are often the first to arrive. In some instances, Designated Crisis Responders (DCRs) also come to provide an essential service. DCRs investigate, evaluate, and ultimately decide whether to detain an individual under State statute for involuntary psychiatric or substance abuse care. 

People can experience a wide range of behavioral health needs, and with that comes a range of services to respond to these needs. DCRs are a critical part of the continuum of care. So, who are DCRs?

• DCRs are master’s level (or higher) licensed  behavioral health clinicians with specialized training in Washington state Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) law. 
• DCRs respond to a behavioral health crisis and balance the individuals needs, their civil rights and public safety, while also considering the least restrictive option available to meet the critical need.
• Per Washington state law, in cases where a person presents with an imminent threat to themselves, others or another’s property or is gravely disabled; DCRs are provided with the authority to place this person on an emergency behavioral health hold.

Read more.

Keeping young minds engaged at annual Youth Academy

By Manny Apostol Jr., Community Engagement Specialist, King County Sheriff's Office

Last week, the King County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Renton Police Department, the Newcastle Police Department, and the DEA’s Operation Engage, held the second annual Youth Academy, which was an exciting and impactful event.

A group of 36 enthusiastic middle schoolers from the Renton School District, ranging from 11 to 14 years old, had the opportunity to engage with public safety professionals from 12 different agencies. Read more.

New mindfulness offerings

Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at the moment—free from distraction or judgment. It’s a proven method to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being. Balanced You is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with mindfulness providers CuriosityBased and SolJoy. This collaboration highlights Balanced You’s dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive employee well-being program that is in alignment with King County’s values. Learn more.

Supervisors: Here is a printer-friendly PDF with the new Mindfulness Summer 2024 schedule to post at your worksites for employees who do not have access to email.

Look for “KnowBe4” email with cybersecurity training links on July 15

On July 15, King County’s trusted vendor KnowBe4 will send a countywide email with links to cybersecurity training. This is a legit email, not a phishing attempt. Annual cybersecurity training is required for all employees and contractors with access to King County systems. Training must be completed by Dec. 31, 2024.

Cybersecurity training is an important safeguard that helps protect vital King County systems. The number of employees that complete training each year impacts King County's insurance rates. Total instruction time for the training is about 60 minutes. If employees cannot find the email with the links to their assigned training, they should login to the KnowBe4 website with their work email at https://training.knowbe4.com/ui/login. 

Thank you to every employee for doing their part to protect King County. For assistance, contact the KCIT Helpdesk.

Join the next Anti-Racist White Action Group meeting, July 23

Employees are invited to the monthly Anti-Racist White Action Group (ARWAG) meeting on July 23, where we will continue building our anti-racist readiness. We also will spend time in workgroups (Education and Training, Partnerships and Community, and Human Resources and Data), making progress together.

• Tuesday, July 23
  • 11:40 a.m. New member “meet and greet." Join here via Teams. This is a different link than the general meeting.
  • Noon to 1:30 p.m. General meeting. Join here via Teams. Note that we moved our meetings from Zoom to Teams starting this meeting.

ARWAG is one of King County’s Affinity Groups (also called Employee Resource Groups) that addresses racism and other forms of oppression to advance the county’s equity and social justice goals. In addition to learning and practicing anti-racist behaviors, members connect and build relationship. This deepens our ability to live our values and contribute to a more fair and just community. Email ARWAG to join this group, get the meeting notices, or for any questions.

Balanced You self-care webinar: Nutrition Freedom: Tips on how to eat well and live life

For many, finding balance in nutrition can be a struggle as we are constantly bombarded with various messages on how to eat healthy. The "eat this, not that" culture is real and confusing. Join Balanced You and Registered Dietitian Cassie Christopher for a conversation on how to live life through food freedom and still maintain a well-balanced diet!

• Thursday, July 25, noon to 12:50 p.m. Register here.

Supervisors: Here is a printer-friendly PDF of the self-care webinars to post at your worksites for employees who do not have access to email.

Pet of the Week: Dolphin

Hi, my name is Dolphin and I am an 11-month-old male cat, domestic short hair, orange tabby, ID #A709375. I am an affectionate lovebug who would be thrilled to cuddle up with you at home. Although, I do like to do my own thing, so it would be wonderful to have a family who can give me my own space at times too. I like getting attention on my own terms. I can get overstimulated with petting, so please move carefully with me and keep an eye out for signs that I might need a break. I seem to do well with other cats, just remember to introduce me to resident pets slowly. I have a bit of a shy side and may get nervous in new situations, so would do best in a calm, quiet home with a family who understands that I might need some time to warm up.

As Pet of the Week, my adoption fee has been reduced. You can find out more about me and my other friends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. If you have more questions, you can contact RASKC via phone at 206-296-7387 (PETS) or email pets@kingcounty.gov.