By Faisal Khan, Director, Public Health – Seattle & King County, and Matías Valenzuela, Director, Equity and Community Partnerships, Public Health – Seattle & King County
Following the national elections, we have been hearing concerns about issues that directly impact the health and well-being of our communities: hate and racism, immigrant rights, access to health care, reproductive health, LGBTQ rights, vaccinations and more.
We are fortunate that we live in a county and a state that firmly stands behind human rights, science, and opportunity for all.
As the King County Executive recently stated, “King County will remain a welcoming place for all, where every person has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of birthplace or background. We are a place that is welcoming, that is inclusive, that is respectful. We are a place that values all employees and community members, regardless of race, gender, age, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, disability, or religious affiliation.”
Additionally, our new Public Health Strategic Plan stresses our commitment “to promote and improve the health and well-being of all people in King County by leading with racial equity and changing systems and structures that impact health.” This direction remains unchanged.
Although we don’t know everything that will happen in the coming months and years, we have the tools and critical experience to serve with our values. All of us at Public Health Seattle and King County remain prepared to take important steps to support the health, well-being, and rights of you and everyone else in our communities, as needed in response to changes and initiatives at the federal level.
We wanted to let our community partners and residents of King County know that Public Health – Seattle & King County stands ready to support our communities. We will be working closely with you and with every available tool, resource, and information to minimize the impacts and threats that may arise.
As we have during challenges in the past, we will work to realize our Public Health vision of health, well-being, and racial equity – every day for everyone in King County.
Community resources
Please share these resources to support friends, family members, and other people in your community. As we learn more about changes at the national level, we will provide more information and resources on the Public Health Insider blog and through our Office of Equity and Community Partnerships.
Public health resources
- The Office of Equity and Community Partnerships (OECP) works with many community partners to advance racial and health equity in King County. Learn more about what we do.
- The Access and Outreach program has many resources for health care, food programs, rental assistance, ORCA-LIFT cards, and other services.
Immigrant and refugee resources
- Our Access and Outreach Program has information about health insurance, public health services, and other resources for undocumented residents in King County.
- The King County Immigrant and Refugee Program has information about health services, immigrant and refugee rights, and public charge.
- Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs has resources on legal assistance, applying for U.S. citizenship, DACA, learning English, housing, and employment assistance.
Mental health resources
- Seattle University maintains a list of lower-cost mental health service providers.
- Deconstructing the Mental Health System addresses the mental health system’s racial and financial inequities through education and other initiatives, including a free therapy and wellness Program and free directory of therapists and wellness professionals.
Originally published on 11/25/24.