Independence Day holiday is Monday, July 4 

Monday, July 4 is Independence Day, which means that King County government offices will be closed. All offices will be back on schedule Tuesday, July 5.

On both July 3 and July 4, 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.

One year later: Collaborative Case Management program houses Veterans in King County

Cross-posted from Cultivating Connections

June 18 marked the one-year anniversary of the first Veteran being housed through the Collaborative Case Management (CCM) program.

King County launched a first-in-the-nation pilot program to help veterans experiencing homelessness connect to safe and stable housing in April 2021. 

Since the launch of CCM to date, the program has helped 75 Veterans find and move into permanent housing and 133 (out of an initial allotment of 142) VASH vouchers were issued for Veterans to utilize to find housing so far. Read more. 

Is my baby ready for COVID vaccine? Answers for new and expecting parents

Cross-posted from Public Health Insider

Babies and young children ages six months and up recently became eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.

If you’re the parent of a child under age five, you may be cracking open the champagne, or you may be still wondering if getting vaccinated is the right move for your child. Either way, we understand where you’re coming from.

It’s normal and natural to have questions, especially when it comes to children's health and Public Health Insder has answers to common questions. Read more.

Executive Constantine, Mayor Harrell appoint experienced leader as Director of Public Health

King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell have appointed Dr. Faisal Khan, a 25-year leader in public health at global, state and local levels - as the Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.

"Dr. Khan has the experience and expertise to lead Public Health into the next phase, and he brings a fresh perspective to serving the people of King County," said Executive Constantine. "We look forward to his leadership as our dedicated employees continue our national reputation for excellence in public health and health equity - making King County a community where every person can thrive."  Read more.

July is Disability Pride Month! 

Disability Pride celebrates the important history of the disability civil rights movement and recognizes contributions that people with disabilities make in workplaces and communities. 

All King County employees are welcome and encouraged to participate in Disability Pride Month events.

Movie and Discussion: Crip Camp 

Watch and discuss the Sundance Festival award-winning documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, which tells the story of Camp Jened, a summer camp where teens with disabilities found and built a community that ignited the disability rights movement.

• Monday, July 11 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Register here.

For more information about accommodations and Disability Pride Month events, click here.

Upcoming mindfulness events

Balanced You continues to partner with Mindfulness Northwest to offer free mindfulness classes and workshops to King County employees. All classes are held live on Zoom.

Mindfulness is a practice that can help you quiet your mind, find focus, and reduce some of the stress many of us experience.  This summer, we have classes available for all employees that will teach techniques such as mindful movement, mindful relationships, and more. These classes are open to all employees.

Meeting Anxiety with Mindfulness: Participants learn simple practices that are designed to help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety.

• Tuesday, July 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. Register here.

Mindful Self-compassion: Learn how to befriend yourself, especially when things are tough.

• Thursday, July 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. Register here.

Mindful Leadership: Learn how mindfulness can help you become a more effective and compassionate leader.

• Wednesday, July 13 from 9 to 11 a.m. Register here.

Visit the Balanced You blog for the complete mindfulness class schedule and registration details.

Balanced You Coffee Connections: Mindful Summer

Summer is finally here! Join Balanced You staff for a special Coffee Connections with Mindfulness Northwest. During this virtual gathering, instructors will guide participants through mindfulness exercises to help employees welcome sunny days from a calm and grounded perspective.

• Wednesday, July 6 from 12:30 to 1 p.m.  Register here.

Mental Health First Aid@Work

To increase awareness about mental health and highlight supportive resources, Balanced You has partnered with the National Council of Behavioral Health to offer Mental Health First Aid@Work trainings.

These trainings teach participants about mental health and substance-use issues, including the common risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder. The program then offers concrete tools for supporting those in need. 

• Tuesday, July 12 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register here. 

Register now for July retirement classes

Check out the following educational opportunities to help you prepare for retirement. These online classes will be held on Zoom or Teams and are provided by your King County Retirement Team.

Introduction to Social Security: Join this 90-minute class if you are interested in learning more about Social Security. Guest speaker Kirk Larson from the Social Security Administration will discuss your options as a King County employee and answer your questions.

• Wednesday, July 13 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Register here.

Road to Retirement: This 90-minute class is designed for employees who are planning to retire from King County in the next six months. It covers procedures, forms, medical coverage options, and pension plans—so you’ll be on a smooth road toward a happy retirement.

• Tuesday, July 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Register here.
• Tuesday, July 26 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Register here.

Registration is required. Use the registration links above, then select the date you’d like to attend. Before classes start, you’ll receive a meeting invitation at the email address you register with.

Please note, attendance at retirement classes is strictly voluntary, on your own time, and non-work related.

For additional information, visit the King County Retirement page, refer to the Retirement Guide, or contact Carmen Johnson, retirement navigator.

Pet of the Week: Sparky

Hi, I'm Sparky, a two-year-old male German Shepherd. I am full of energy and I love to play! I tend to calm down more when the people around me stay calm. I do best when I have lots of exercise and something to keep my mind busy.

You can find out more about me and my other friends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Note that Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has returned to walk-in services. Learn more about the adoption process on our website. If you have more questions, you can contact RASKC by phone at 206-296-PETS (7387) or email pets@kingcounty.gov. 

Featured Job: Project/Program Manager III (APDE)