February 2023 proclaimed Black History Month
King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed February 2023 as Black History Month in King County.
In 1986, the King County Council voted to designate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as the county's namesake in honor of his advocacy for the fair and equal treatment of people of all races. As well, King County acknowledges that Black history is American history; that the long history of forced enslavement, and institutional and structural racism toward Blacks in the U.S. and its generational impacts, and has committed itself to make progress on Equity and Social Justice through racially just policies that combat anti-Black racism.
As the Executive said in the Proclamation, "Our work is far from over: we are committed to ensuring King County is a welcoming place where all our many diverse communities can build and thrive." Read the Proclamation here.
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Executive Constantine launches Re+, reinventing the region’s waste system to cut carbon emissions, transition to a sustainable economy
King County is launching a new initiative, Re+, to return valuable materials to the economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions created by the region’s waste system. Re+ aims to recover nearly 70% of materials that are currently being sent to the landfill that could avoid becoming waste in the first place by being reused, recycled, or composted.
Re+ will advance a goal in King County’s 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan to cut countywide greenhouse gas emissions in half by the end of the decade. To watch the video and read more. click here.
Black Women's Experience Project and Survey
A message from Anita Whitfield, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer
The Black/African Women’s Affinity Group is conducting a study, called the ‘Black Women’s Experience Project,’ to identify and better understand the root causes of any issues that may lead to an unhealthy workplace culture for Black women and ultimately all employees.
A key part of the Black Women’s Experience Project is an all-employee survey, which we are inviting you to participate in between now and Feb. 20, 2023. While the overall project centers on the experiences of Black women, King County encourages all employees to take the survey as we ultimately want to understand the experiences of any employees who may be experiencing inequities in the workplace.
Responses to the survey are meant to collect general information on employee experiences and will be anonymous, with no personally identifying information. Please see the FAQs to learn more about the Black Women’s Experience Project.
If you have a specific concern about your experience as a county employee, please see the County anti-harassment policy for information about reporting those concerns.
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With her robe, Judge Hawk takes responsibility for making justice real
Cross-posted from King County Superior Court
When Judge Jaime Hawk was helped into her black robe on Jan. 26, it wasn’t the first time she’d worn it. For more than five months, she’s performed the work of a King County Superior Court judge.
And yet the formal ceremony — called an investiture — still had the air of something significant. Welcoming Judge Hawk to her new-ish role, Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary I. Yu noted the role judges play in creating and maintaining “a legal process that is predictable and rule-bound, where every individual has an opportunity to be heard.” Read more.
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Do you file an annual financial disclosure? Watch your email for information
If your department has determined that you need to file an annual financial disclosure form, watch for an email from donotreply@neogov.com that says "System - Task Ready" in the coming weeks. Like last year, the Financial Disclosure Program will be sending forms through NEOGOV rather than through county email. Participation in this program is required if you receive the email from NEOGOV. All forms are due by April 15, 2023.
Please contact your department directly if you have questions about why you have been asked to fill out the form. For any questions about the Financial Disclosure Program or the new process, please email financialdisclosure@kingcounty.gov.
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First scholarship application period ends Feb. 5
The first application period for the Coalition Labor Agreement Professional Development Scholarship is ending Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. Please ensure all outstanding applications are submitted no later than midnight on that date.
To apply: Please familiarize yourself with the eligibility and application requirements by first visiting the scholarship website. Click here to apply. Important: Please answer all supplemental questions and provide all requested information on the application to avoid it being flagged as incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be moved forward in the process.
Awardees for the first period will be notified via email between March 20 through 24, 2023. The second application period will open May 8 through June 4, 2023 and will only be for training that begins between July 1 through Dec. 31, 2023.
For more information go to the Professional Development Scholarship website or email ScholarshipFund@kingcounty.gov.
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Running the Gauntlet: “Suspicious” Motorists, Policing, and the Not-so-Hidden Dangers of Driving While Black
According to experts on the racial impacts of traffic stops (the most common type of police/civilian interaction), it is twice as common and more likely to be deadly if the motorist is Black. Not only that, the likelihood of the motorist being searched is four times as high if the motorist is Black.
The statistics hold true in every part of the country. So, how did we get here? Why is this situation so deadly for Black motorists? What do we need to know, and do to change this?
Join Michele E. Storms, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, for a conversation addressing these questions and more. This event is the first in the For Us, By Us: Transformational Conversation Series 2023.
- Monday, Feb. 6 from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. Meeting ID: 828 0900 2801; passcode required*
*You will need a passcode to attend this event. For access, please reach out to one of the For Us, By Us: Transformational Conversations core team: Cecelia Hayes, Gloria Ngezaho, John Miller, Jabari Hampton, Miesha Vaughn, Marcus Stubblefield, Michelle Sarju, Ebony Frazier, and Danita Carter.
For Us, By Us: Transformational Conversations is an occasional series of informal Town Hall Gatherings instituted by Black professionals and community members who also happen to be employees at King County. Initially begun in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd, the series is meant to offer a forum for thoughtful discussion and education around issues of race, equity, and social justice in our community, in our workplace, and in our world.
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Pay parking coming Feb. 6 to Clark Children and Family Justice Center
On Monday, Feb. 6, pay parking will go into effect at the Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CCFJC) at 12th Ave. and E. Alder St. The new rates will be posted at the entrance to the garage, and daily fees can be paid by credit or debit card.
Complementary parking validation will be available upon request to members of the general public visiting the court or detention center. Employees assigned to the CCFJC can apply for paid monthly parking. For questions or to apply, contact Facilities Management Division Parking Operations at FMDPO@kingcounty.gov.
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Balanced You Self-Care webinar series: Beginning the New Year with Grace
The new year is underway and with it, many of us have goals, dreams, and resolutions. The pressure to make everything happen as we juggle work and homelife can be overwhelming, so it's important we give ourselves and others grace to get through.
Join Karla Clark, Balanced You Employee Health & Wellness Specialist and Tee Lovelace, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselor for a conversation on how to go into 2023 with a little less stress and a lot more joy!
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Black History Month film series: In the Heat of the Night
In celebration of Black History Month, the Department of Executive Services is presenting a three-part film education series from the golden era of Black cinema.
The first film in the series is In the Heat of the Night, starring Sidney Poitier, from 1967. This neo-film noir is considered one of Hollywood's greatest classics. In 2002, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural significance.
The presentation will include commentary from Marlon Brown, activist, community strategist, and co-owner of Racial Equity Consultants.
- Friday, Feb. 10 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Passcode required.
To obtain the passcode for this event, or for more information, contact Cecelia Hayes.
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Financial Wellness for people of African descent
In observance and celebration of Black History Month, My Secure Advantage (MSA) is hosting a special presentation that anyone can attend. During this webinar, MSA presenters will provide a roadmap to help identify and address opportunities to reduce financial stress and increase financial wellness in African American communities.
The webinar will lay the foundation for developing a personalized action plan to build, grow, and transfer wealth using budget, credit and debt management strategies. Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn about investing and retirement education and participate in a discussion of asset protection and transfer to future generations through insurance and estate planning.
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Training Spotlight:
Staying Steady – Online – When leaders prioritize supporting their team’s wellbeing, they add to the creation of a values-based culture where team members have a sense of stability, feel respected, and can work more effectively. Participants will be able to describe King County’s vision for a healthy organizational culture; discuss the importance of providing stability as a people leader; review available supportive resources at King County; practice ways to steady yourself and your team. Please note that this course is a core foundational training in the Leading the Way leadership development series and it is recommended (not required) to take all three in the following order if possible: Leader Mindset, Staying Steady, Equity and Leadership. Multiple dates are available. The next session is:
STAR-LA Interview Practice and Feedback – Online – This one-hour small group workshop is designed to provide mock interview practice and feedback using the STAR-LA method as taught by King County Career Support Services. This workshop is for participants who have attended the Career Support Services led Strategic Interviewing Tips and Techniques online workshop or have watched the 10-minute STAR-LA method video found on the Career Support Services website at www.kingcounty.gov/CSS.
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.
King County Security Tips - The shock factor: do not take the bait!
One of the most common and successful tricks cyber criminals use to trigger you into falling for their scams is fake “stressor events.” In this context, “stressor events” are shocking or compromising situations that inflict fear or provoke other emotions for the purpose of causing an impulsive reaction.
To find out more about how it works and how to avoid becoming a victim, click here.
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Pet of the Week: Gelato
Hi, I'm Gelato, an 'almost' two-year-old German Shepherd and Pit Bull mix. I weigh 55 pounds and am motivated by toys and treats. I am a high energy boy and am looking for a family that is strong, patient, and willing to train me to be the best pet I can be!
You can find out more about me and my friends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has moved back to walk-in services. Find out more information about our adoption process on our website. If you have more questions, contact RASKC via phone at 206-296-7387 (PETS) or email pets@kingcounty.gov.
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Featured Job: Housing Repair Engineer II
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