What parents should know about vaccination for 12-15 year olds

May 13, 2021.Reading time 7 minutes.

Youth age 12-15 can now get COVID-19 vaccination. Our immunizations manager answers questions, including about what teens can do after vaccination, testing of the vaccine, and how this age group can get vaccinated in King County.

Stories of Resiliency & Strength: “The Youth is the Truth”

March 16, 2021.Reading time 3 minutes.

Today, we are thankful to share a piece by Rahel Ambachew as a part of Best Starts for Kids’ Stories of Resiliency & Strength series. Her story carries the resilient and ardent spirit of past generations and highlights the ongoing barriers that youth face while striving for full, fair participation in our democracy.

Opportunity for Youth to Get Involved In the Local Anti-trafficking Movement

July 20, 2020.Reading time 2 minutes.

There is a definite connection between the commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) of children and the juvenile justice system. Although exact numbers don’t currently exist, studies show that most victims of commercial sexual exploitation of children in King County have also been involved in the legal system.

The same systemic issues, racial inequity, and income inequality that make youth vulnerable to becoming involved in the legal system also make youth targets for perpetrators of CSE.

Announcing the Zero Youth Detention Data Dashboard

December 31, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

Reposted from the Zero Youth Detention Blog. King County is pleased to announce the first release of the Zero Youth Detention data dashboard. The dashboard provides the data about the juvenile legal system in King County including specifically highlighting racial disproportionality. The dashboard will show progress on the full range of efforts to achieve the goal […]

LGBTQ youth talk about healthcare experiences

October 22, 2018.Reading time 6 minutes.

In a first-of-its-kind effort, King County hospitals reached out to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) youth and young adults to learn about their experiences with healthcare. King County Hospitals for a Healthier Community, which is a collaborative of 11 hospitals and health systems, joined with Public Health – Seattle & King […]

Limiting sugary drinks can make a difference in children’s health

June 9, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

By Patty Hayes, Director of Public Health – Seattle & King County Limiting sugary drinks are an important step for public health and particularly for the health of children and youth. All children deserve to grow up healthy, but children today could be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents. This is, […]