2019 Balanced You Worksite Fund recipients

The Balanced You Worksite Fund is a competitive grant process brought to you by the Balanced You team, located in King County’s Department of Human Resources. The Worksite Fund is another way King County is Investing in YOU to build a culture that supports the health, well-being, and safety of all employees.

This year marked the Worksite Fund’s second year. We received over 150 applications totaling almost $580,000 in requests. That’s an over 50% increase in applications and an 81% increase in funds requested compared to 2018!

In 2019, we are investing just over $100,000 in 43 projects reaching worksites throughout the County. In addition to awarding applications with Worksite Fund dollars, Balanced You partnered with your leadership to identify additional funding to help bring your projects to life.

It was exciting to see so many great applications! Applications were reviewed and recommended for funding by a team of 23 employees, including employees from the Office of Labor Relations; Department of Human Resources; Office of Equity & Social Justice; Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Operations; Performance, Strategy, and Budget; Public Health; Office of Assessments; Metro Transit; Facilities Management Division; and Risk Management.

Common types of projects funded included:

• • Kitchen upgrades, supplies, appliances
  • Training (nutrition, yoga, mental health)
  • Team building and recreation activities
  • Physical activity equipment and supplies
  • Creation of wellness spaces
  • Implementation of water bottle filling stations

See the list below to learn more about the 2019 Balanced You Worksite Fund recipients.

We intend to offer the Worksite Fund opportunity again in early 2020. Eligible projects that did not receive funding in this round are welcome to reapply. While the Worksite Fund opportunity is now closed for 2019, Balanced You supports employees in many ways throughout the year.  Contact balancedyou@kingcounty.gov to learn more.

2019 Balanced You Worksite Fund Recipients
Agency	Project Name	Project Summary	Geography
Black and African Employee Group	Agape Fit Queens and Kings	Culturally-competent physical, financial, and mental health series.	MultIple
Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention	KC DAJD-CCD To Health and Beyond	Pedometers and fitness competitions.	Downtown
Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention	Prevent Defensive Tactics Training Injury with Joint Stabilization Classes	A train-the-trainer program to prevent soft tissue injuries.	Multiple
Department of Assessments	Exploring Wellness Opportunities in the Work Environment	Under-desk ellipticals.	Downtown
Department of Assessments	Exercise for Health	Non-gym exercise equipment and ping-pong table.	South
Department of Elections	A team that moves together, improves together	Yoga classes and ping pong table.	Downtown
Department of Executive Services	Fight Fast Food for Facilities	Breakroom updates including cooking equipment, plates, etc.	Multiple
Department of Executive Services	FMD Bike Downtown Project Initiative	Bike share for FMD staff.	Downtown
Department of Executive Services	Sharing Culture through Cooking Demonstrations, Recipes, and Stories	Healthy cooking demonstrations that celebrate staff’s cultures and traditions.	Downtown
Department of Human Resources	Building Bridges and Healing Community	Training for DHR staff to use art and story-telling to address inequity.	Multiple
Department of Human Resources	Career and Culture Division, Thriving Culture	Retreat to define team culture, reduce stress, and improve work/life balance.	Downtown
Department of Local Services	Permitting Wellness Retreat	Retreat with training on how to move more at work and relieve stress.	North
Department of Local Services	Roads Lounge	Wellness room to encourage relaxation and social connection.	South
Department of Natural Resources and Parks	Learning Self-Defense Together!	Self-defense class that includes some physical activity and at-home empowerment homework.	East
Department of Natural Resources and Parks	Host Peacemaking Circle Introductory Training Workshop	Peacemaking Circle training as a strategy for resolving workplace conflict.	Downtown
Department of Public Defense	Reducing Stress at Public Defense	Onsite yoga classes, onsite mindfulness training, and meditation and mindfulness CDs.	Downtown
Department of Public Health	Let’s Move Eastgate	Small exercise equipment and room divider.	East
Department of Public Health	Bringing the Outside In	Lights and plants to improve environment.	Downtown
Department of Public Health	Building Connections and Welcoming Spaces	Unnatural Causes DVD, projector, television, and seats.	South
Department of Public Health	Office Environment Improvement Project	Air purifier and plants to improve air quality and environment in shared office space.	Downtown
Department of Public Health	Bupe Pathways Reflective Supervision	Facilitated retreat and training to improve mental health and reduce secondary trauma.	Downtown
King County District Court	Auburn Courthouse Mental Recharge / Serenity Room	Create a new relaxation / quiet room, including massage chair.	South
King County District Court	Bringing Visual and Physical Tranquility to Call Center	Artwork, mural, standing mats, light therapy lamps, and water bottle station to improve call center.	West
King County District Court	Iron Chef Clerk Challenge	Iron chef challenge focused on healthy foods representative of employees’ cultures.	West
King County District Court	Wishing on a Star	Under-desk ellipticals and mobility / strength kits.	South
King County District Court	KCDC Shoreline	Water bottle service, stress balls, and standing / anti-fatigue mats.	North
King County Information Technology	RYT 200 course	Yoga teacher training to continue providing free yoga classes to employees.	Downtown
King County Sheriff’s Office	Communications Center Wellness Room	Massage chair and zen garden to improve mental health.	South
King County Sheriff’s Office	First Responder Mental Health and Wellness conference	Conference to support mental health and reduce secondary trauma for first responders.	Multiple
Legislative Branch	Shared Hospital Grade Breast Pump for the Legislative Branch	Breast pump that can be used by multiple users.	Downtown
Metro	Hygiene Kits	Sanitizer, wipes, caution tape, gloves, and plastic bags for bus operators.	Multiple
Metro	Better You, Better Me	Kitchen appliances update and nutrition workshop.	Downtown
Metro	Ethiopian Transit Operators Social Advancement	Social connection event.	Multiple
Metro	SB Operations-Pool Table	Pool table refurbishment.	South
Metro	Mobile Exercise Space	Mobility and strength kits.	Downtown
Metro	Field Office Restoration Project	Paint walls, fix cabinets and floor, and replace refrigerator.	Downtown
Metro	Bottled Water Filling Station	Water bottle filling station.	East
Metro	Equity Training for New Job Opportunities	Ipads and other technology to provide trainings and help staff access county health information.	North
Metro	Quiet/Wellness Room Upgrade and Fridge	Refrigerator and chaise lounge to upgrade wellness room and kitchen.	Downtown
Metro	Ergonomic Training and Assessments	Ergonomic training and educational materials for bus operators and vehicle maintenance staff.	Downtown
Metro	CIO Rejuve Room	Wellness room for staff.	Downtown
Prosecuting Attorney’s Office	Therapy Dog to Assist Secondary Trauma	Therapy dog to reduce secondary trauma for staff.	Downtown
Prosecuting Attorney’s Office	Relaxation/Lactation Room	Wellness and lactation room for staff.	Downtown