Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits and rates to increase Jan. 1

The state of Washington is making changes to the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, effective Jan. 1, 2022. These changes include increased benefits and higher premiums. Click here to find out more. 

Vanpool and Vanshare program requirements lowered from five riders to three

Starting Jan. 1, 2022, King County employees may start a King County Metro Vanpool or Vanshare with only three or more participants and the cost will be covered 100% by the Employee Transportation Program (ETP). 

This reduced ridership minimum from five participants to three or more participants is being offered after the recent survey of employee safety programs highlighted employee interest in more shared ride options for commuting into downtown Seattle.

To find out more about this program, click here. 

Coffee Connections: Enjoying a guilt-free holiday

This time of year can be challenging for many people, especially those that are navigating seasonal depression and anxiety. Add in layers of ongoing stress from burnout, the pandemic, holiday expectations, and it can be hard to feel joyful during this time or like we’re doing enough. Join us for some tips on how to manage expectations and stress so that you can enjoy time with and connect with yourself and loved ones.

• Wednesday, Dec. 15 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Register here.

Our shared vision to transform infant and early childhood mental health in King County

Cross-posted from Best Starts for Kids

In 2017, Best Starts for Kids and key partners began a multi-year landscape analysis to learn about the strengths, opportunities, and challenges with Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) services across King County.

Findings exhibit the current scope of services available for supporting the mental health of infants, toddlers, children up to age five and their families, the effectiveness of and gaps in current services, and how current programs advance equity for families and children. 

Read more here about the landscape analysis and strategic plan for King County.

MLK Day Committee wants you to share your Stories of Hope

Every year the King County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day committee chooses a theme that guides the tone of the event. This year, the theme focuses on stories of hope and these words from author and activist James Baldwin:

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

To help celebrate, the committee would like to hear from King County employees and asks that you share your stories of hope, strength, resilience, compassion, and determination in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

Click here to read more and get information on how to submit your stories.

Tech Tip: Teams Whiteboards have a ton of new features, including Kanban templates

Whiteboards in Microsoft Teams are better than ever! Instead of just a blank Whiteboard, now you can choose from several options such as a Kanban board or project management template to guide your collaborations. Plus, Whiteboards now lets you add images, sticky notes, and reaction icons to add context to your discussions. Teams Whiteboards lets you draw, sketch, and write on a shared digital canvas in your Teams Meeting or Teams Channel.

To learn about these new updates, watch the demo video hosted by our Microsoft partners: MS Office Hours – Whiteboard or use this handy Whiteboard One-Pager. These new features are available for all King County Teams users. If you need help with Whiteboards, Executive branch employees can LiveChat with the KCIT Helpdesk. Employees in separately-elected agencies can contact their department IT support.

Featured Job: Strategic Planning Manager I