King County's Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan Highlights
In 2016, King County launched its Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, which has informed the direction for the County’s equity, racial, and social justice work since its development. To share just some of that work, King County has created the “ESJ Strategic Plan Highlights” - an online, interactive approach to presenting some of the County’s significant initiatives, efforts, and investments towards becoming anti-racist and pro-equity.
Watch this video for an overview of the highlights with King County Executive Dow Constantine and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Anita Whitfield. Spend time exploring the entire report to learn more about work across departments to meet the needs where they are greatest.
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Restored upstream salmon habitat begins a decade of projects to open streams and rivers
Executive Dow Constantine recently announced significant gains this year by King County to restore access to high-quality salmon habitat, and that the county will soon embark upon a decade of projects to reopen at least 50% of the stream habitat currently blocked by county-owned roads and trails.
The team of experts guiding King County’s Fish Passage Restoration Program estimates that by 2032 these projects will allow access for native salmon to freely swim to more than 250 stream miles. Read more and watch the video.
Regence negotiations with The Polyclinic and The Everett Clinic extended through Dec. 23
As previously announced, Regence and Optum, the parent company of The Everett Clinic and The Polyclinic, are in extended contract negotiations. The teams involved continued to work through the weekend and while a contract was not signed, a five-day contract extension was negotiated to keep the clinics in-network through Friday, Dec. 23.
This means that while contract negotiations continue, employees (and their covered dependents) enrolled in the Regence KingCare PPO plan are able to receive care from The Everett Clinic and The Polyclinic through Dec. 23, and services will be paid at the in-network rate.
If an agreement between Regence and Optum is not reached by Dec. 23, services received on Dec. 24 or after by The Everett Clinic and The Polyclinic providers will be considered out-of-network and the insurance portion of the payment will be at the lower, out-of-network benefit level.
Additional information will be announced as soon as it is available. If you have questions or want help finding a different provider, please call Regence BlueShield at 800-376-7926 from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. You can also contact the King County Benefits team at 206-684-1556 or email KC Benefits.
PeopleSoft Outage Tuesday from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
To allow for system maintenance, the PeopleSoft system will not be available starting on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. and is scheduled to be back online by 6 p.m.
During this planned outage, the Business Resource Center (BRC) will apply vendor updates and maintenance.
The system will not be available for access by any County staff during this outage window. There will be a communication sent out to all County staff when the system becomes available.
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Cross-posted from Executive Services Express
Jacqueline Tabor, a member of the Records Management Program Team in Records and Licensing (RALS), recently returned from a whirlwind five-day Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association delegation trip marking the 65th anniversary of the sister city relationship. Read more.
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Shop with a Cop events create smiles and connections
Cross-posted from the Sheriff's Office newsletter
The annual Skyway Shop with a Cop event was held recently at the Renton Walmart. Over 80 children and their families showed up and were warmly greeted by volunteers and deputies from around the agency. Each registered child was paired with a deputy to walk through the store to select the child's choice of items. The event was supported by the Alajawan Brown Foundation.
The Covington Shop with a Cop event also took place at the local Walmart. This year, approximately 180 children participated, with each child given approximately $75 to purchase something they would like for Christmas. They received support from the Covington Rotary and Maple Valley Rotary, as well as numerous volunteers.
At these special events, the children take away key lessons such as budgeting, decision-making, and teamwork, all while making a new friend. The events also provide an opportunity for law enforcement to have a positive interaction with needy children and their families.
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County offices closed Dec. 26 and Jan. 2
King County government offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 26 for the observed Christmas Day holiday, reopening Tuesday, Dec. 27. Offices will again be closed Monday, Jan. 2 for the New Year's Day observed holiday, reopening on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Click here for Metro Transit bus schedules.
If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.
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Be prepared for cold temperatures, snow, and possible freezing rain
Extremely cold temperatures, snow, and possible freezing rain are forecast for our region this week, so please be prepared for possible commute delays and impacts to business operations. Read more.
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Free COVID-19 tests available while supplies last
During the cold and flu season, it’s a good idea to test yourself regularly for COVID-19 whenever you start not feeling well or before visiting groups of people indoors.
There are free COVID-19 tests available while supplies last at www.covidtests.gov or sayyescovidhometest.org. Manufacturers now say the tests are good for 12 months.
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Help reduce the spread of airborne illnesses by improving indoor air quality
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider
By now you may have heard that we’re experiencing high cases of flu and RSV (a respiratory disease), with young children being hospitalized. With cold weather, we spend more time inside, which increases the potential for another surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the coming months.
Diseases like RSV, the flu, and COVID-19 are airborne and spread easily indoors. With that in mind, it’s important to pay attention to indoor air quality. Read more.
Learn sustainable landscaping and yard care
King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is partnering with the Snohomish Conservation District to offer both in-person and online classes ranging from landscaping with native plants to growing a food forest.
These free classes are part of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks Environmental Education Programs. Read more.
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Administrative Professionals year-end appreciation
King County administrative professionals are a large part of King County government’s workforce and are valuable contributors to the success of every department. They support and provide direct services to both internal customers and the public.
Share your holiday cheer by showing your appreciation for the valuable work that administrative professionals on your team do before 2022 comes to a close.
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Training Spotlight:
Strategic Interviewing Tips and Techniques – Online – This two-hour workshop provides strategies and tips to help you to do your best during job interviews. You will learn how to prepare for a virtual job interview, the interview structure, types of questions you will be asked, the STAR-LA method and how to use it to provide organized and complete responses, and general tips and strategies.
Communication and Problem Solving Skills – Online – This two-day training addresses communication and problem-solving skills with the public and with co-workers. This class covers skills for effective listening, speaking, handling conflicts, and managing defensive behavior. The fee is $85 and attendance at both days is required for completion.
- Tuesday, Jan 24 and Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Register here.
Please visit the King County Eventbrite website, ther Learning and Development website, and the Career Support Services website for additional 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: Administrator II – Confidential Executive Assistant
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King County Headlines
Best Starts for Kids: By the Numbers in 2022
Metro Matters: Rider alternatives available for temporarily suspended routes
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