Executive proclaims Emergency Medical Services Week

King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed May 21-27 as Emergency Medical Services Week in recognition of the important work these medical professionals provide to our community.

Executive Constantine encourages all residents of King County to show their gratitude and appreciation to these valuable providers. Read the full proclamation here.

King County proclaims May Treatment Court Month. Here’s what that means for participants

From the King County Superior Courts

The King County Council and the King County Executive have proclaimed May Treatment Court Month. This proclamation recognizes and celebrates the success of program participants. It also affirms the important role courts play in addressing problems at the intersection of public safety and public health.

For three decades, King County’s treatment courts have helped people whose legal system involvement stems from substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders to transform their lives. Read more.

Memorial Day holiday observed Monday, May 29

Monday, May 29 is Memorial Day, and King County government offices will be closed. All offices will reopen Tuesday, May 30.

On May 29, most Metro Transit buses will operate on Sunday schedules.

If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.

KCSO Crisis Negotiation Team in the forefront of special operations, Part I

When the King County Sheriff’s Office TAC 30 team is called on, it’s because there is a potentially dangerous event that requires highly skilled personnel. Whether it’s an active shooter or hostage situation or virtually any serious case, TAC 30 — commonly called a SWAT team in most places — is sent in to secure and resolve the situation. What’s unique about the KCSO TAC 30 is whenever they get a call, the Crisis Negotiation Team goes on alert.

Read part one of this three-part series here.

Chinook Wind Project and Mitigation Reserve Program receives 2022 Innovation Award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship

The Chinook Wind Project and Mitigation Reserve Program, within the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Water and Land Resources Division, has been honored with the Innovation Award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship (Sustainability). This award, part of King County Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards, is one of the five Innovation Awards highlighting department teams whose projects, improvements, and ingenuity deliver exceptional, measurable results. “We solve problems” and “We drive for results” are core values at King County, and these award recipients met challenges in creative and impactful ways.

The Team includes Megan Webb, Laird O’Rollins, Scott Muchard, Michael Murphy, Jon Hansen, Water and Land Resources Division, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Department of Natural Resources and Parks.

Congratulations to the Project Team! View the award announcement and watch the video here.

Mental health resources for children and teens

While we work to ensure that King County employees have the resources they need to take care of their mental health, it is important to note that 50% of all mental health conditions begin before age 14 and 75% before age 24. Current reports indicate that the rates of anxiety and depression among children and teens are increasing.

If you find that your child needs mental health care, Washington state has a free resource to connect families with mental health providers for children and teens 17 or younger. The referral service helps families find a mental health provider who is covered by your insurance and fits your child’s treatment needs. Visit the Balanced You blog to learn more.

Professional Development Scholarship Program: Why rating criteria?

The second application period for the Coalition Labor Agreement Professional Development Scholarship Program is open until June 4, and it is beneficial for employees to understand the rating criteria used to evaluate their applications. This article will address the “why” behind the second rating criteria.

Since the scholarship program is centered on the County’s commitment to equity, racial and social justice, the second rating criteria is asking you to speak to your own lived experience around the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, racial and social justice and how you apply any one of them to your work or in your life.

Your response can be as simple as talking about one of these principles and how you incorporate what you know about that one principle at work or in your life, or your response could even explain what steps you are taking to learn more. What is important is where you are now based on your own lived experience.

Want to learn more? Check out this short eLearning covering these principles. You can also talk with your department’s Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Managers or contact Career Support Services for assistance. Go HERE to view the second rating criteria section of the scholarship program information video.

Click here to view the scholarship listing and apply. Scholarship questions? Please email us at scholarshipfund@kingcounty.gov.

Annual Big Backyard 5k 

Registration for the 13th Annual Big Backyard 5k is now open. Run, walk, or roll through Marymoor Park to support King County Parks. King County employees can enter an exclusive code KCP10 to receive a 10% registration discount. 

• Sunday, June 4 at 8 a.m. Register here.

Deadline to register is May 31. For more information click here.

Third anniversary of Con Confianza y En Comunidad

Cross-posted from Public Health Insider

Con Confianza was envisioned as a community-led space where community members, community leaders and organizations could receive direct and accurate information about the COVID-19 virus. Since misinformation was directed at Latinos, Con Confianza y En Comunidad was the place to receive the latest data on the virus and resources such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and communication and technical support from the County. Read more about this effort and watch the video.