King County ranked in the top 20 in the U.S. for equitable ARPA spending
By Michael Jacobson, Deputy Director, Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget
A new multiyear study conducted by the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy (the Institute) at The New School identified King County as a national leader in investing federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 to advance equity. King County scored in the top 20 of 170 U.S. cities and counties evaluated by the Institute’s Budget Equity Project, which examined how local governments across the U.S. are investing flexible recovery funds from ARPA to support racial and economic equity in their communities.
“I am very proud how we worked to get ARPA funds to communities most in need and address our most pressing issues, including equitable pandemic response, homelessness, and other important community priorities” said Dwight Dively, Director of the Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget. Read more.
|
Wellness Hero Skyler Bridges
Balanced You Wellness Heroes highlights employees doing things to better their lives, the lives of their colleagues, and our community.
For Suicide Prevention Month, Balanced You is excited to introduce you to Wellness Hero Skyler Bridges, Executive Assistant to the King County Assessor. In this video Skyler talks about breaking down the stigma of suicide, shares a personal story on how he has been impacted by suicide, the importance of community and connection, a podcast that he started, and more.
Check out the video of Skyler here.
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 an email to BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov. Wellness Heroes can be anyone who has used a King County or Balanced You resource to nurture their well-being.
Join the Balanced You Well-being Advisory Committee, application closes Sept. 27
Do you have ideas on how King County can better support the well-being of you and your colleagues? Balanced You is seeking employees interested in joining our Balanced You Employee Well-being Advisory Committee. Any King County employee who is interested is invited to apply.
The application deadline is Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. Apply here.
|
Upcoming Mindfulness Classes
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.
-
Thursday, Oct. 3, from 1 to 2 p.m. - Energize and Calm: Moving Meditations to Ground Your Energy for Mental Calm and Core Power. Register here.
-
Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 9 to 11 a.m. - Taking the Burn out of Burnout with Mindfulness. Register here.
Please note, class registration will close two business days before the event.
|
Get Movin' with Balanced You
Movement and physical activity are proven to have a positive impact on mental health. These 30-minute movement breaks are free and virtual so you can tap in from anywhere and benefit from the instruction of a certified trainer. Join us for all the classes in the Get Movin' with Balanced You series focusing on yoga, stretching, cardio, core, mat-based Pilates, and strength training. Classes are for all levels, from beginner to advanced.
Check out the new fall 2024 schedule here. Supervisors: Here is a printer-friendly PDF of the Get Movin' fall 2024 schedule to post at your worksites for employees who do not have access to email.
Classes are for all levels, from beginner to advanced. No special gear is needed and the sessions are all body-weight movement. A yoga mat is optional.
Enrollment will close one day before the event. The Teams Meeting information will be send in the meeting invite the day before the class. If you do not see the green enrollment button on the course you want, please contact balancedyou@kingcounty.gov
|
King County Regional Mental Health Court to celebrate 25 years, Oct. 10
King County launched Regional Mental Health Court (RMHC) in 1999 as one of the first mental health courts in the United States. Coinciding with World Mental Health Day, RMHC will hold a 25th anniversary celebration on Oct. 10. Local and state dignitaries will attend, including special guest speakers, U.S. Representative Adam Smith and King County Councilmember Jorge Barón.
-
Oct. 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the King County Courthouse, courtroom E-942. The courthouse is located at 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104.
RMHC’s mission is to engage, support and facilitate the sustained stability of individuals with mental health disorders within the criminal justice system, while reducing criminal recidivism and increasing community safety.
|
Training Spotlight:
The Power of Appreciation and Recognition: Building Your Leadership Blueprint – Online – The Power of Appreciation and Recognition is a new course in the Leading the Way training series. It will look great as a development goal on your 2024 performance appraisal and is a terrific growth opportunity. As a leader, acknowledging the contributions and value of people has countless benefits, such as higher trust and productivity, with less turnover and burnout. Appreciation and recognition are essential for inclusive, equitable and thriving cultures, where diverse strengths are leveraged and strong relationships are built. Only two sessions are remaining in 2024 so be sure to enroll today.
-
Friday, Oct. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Enroll here. (2.25 SHRM PDC)
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 Learning and Development training website and our Career Support Services website for more learning opportunities. Also, for discounted college and continuing education opportunities, visit our Discounts webpage and expand the Higher Education menu. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
Pet of the Week: Koa
I am a five-year-old male, Pit Bull dog, black and white, ID #A714169. I came to RASKC as a stray, and now I'm looking for my forever home. At 60 lbs I am considered a large breed dog. I have been a pretty good boy during my stay at the shelter. I am very playful with stuffies and a total treat hound. I also have an adorable underbite. I may do best in a home without small children because my enthusiasm may overwhelm them. I have sweet and soulful eyes and I am pretty hard to resist. I am a spirited boy with a fun-loving personality. I am still working on my manners, so I would do best with a family who is willing to work with me and help me become the best dog I can be.
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.
|
Featured Job: Transit Building Operating Engineer (HVAC/R Technician)
Salary: $37.33 - $53.33 Hourly
Location: WA 98168, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Job Number: 2024EW22613
Department: MTD - Metro Transit
Division: Facilities
Opening Date: 9/26/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: J2: ATU L587-Transit
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
As a Building Operating Engineer (or BOE), working with King County Metro Transit, you will have stable and consistent year-round employment applying your HVAC/R skillset to ensure that our building occupants remain comfortable and breathing clean air. You will be tasked with utilizing your HVAC/R and mechanical experience to perform skilled diagnostics and repairs to our HVAC systems and controls; to carry out routine maintenance, proactively identifying and solving emerging problems within our HVAC systems. We would be thrilled to have you join us as we deliver top-tier service to our fellow employees and the residents of King County.
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
King County Headlines
|
