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LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW

Welcome to the 2023 Legislative Session. Monday marks the first day of the 105 day "long session". In Washington's part time legislature odd year sessions are 105 days. This is in order to establish the State's biannual budget. This is opposed to the "short session" which occurs on even years and is only 60 days.

This year we expect homelessness, workforce development, and further law enforcement reform to take up substantial bandwidth for the legislature. This is in addition to budget negotiations and ongoing responses to litigation such as the Blake decisions.

This means that it is important for WACO and our members to be a strong advocate for our priorities. We encourage any who can attend to come to our WACO Day on the Hill event on January 31, 2023 in Olympia. More information and registration can be found below.

Thus far one of our WACO Priority Bills HB 1139 has be pre-filed for session. This means that the bill is ready for being assigned a policy committee right out of the gate.

For more information on WACO's Legislative Priority Bills visit: http://countyofficials.org/232/Legislative-Advocacy

In addition to information on the proposals, you will also find general legislative resources. Legislative training videos and much more. We highly encourage you to explore the page.

WHAT TO EXPECT (REPORTING)

Each week during session you will get a recap of the past weeks' activities, as well as a preview of the next. This will detail bill action of note, as well as hearings of interest.

This is in addition to weekly (or more depending on affiliate needs) reports on affiliate specific bills sent directly to affiliate leadership for their use in taking potential action, or sharing with their members. Additionally, each week the affiliate leadership receives a report of all bills WACO is tracking for each affiliate.

Legislative 101 is a great place to start learning more about the legislative session

WACO PRIORITY LEGISLATION STATUS

Addressing Harassment of Elections Officials (HB 1139)
Status: Prefiled

Consistency in Standards for Voter Pamphlets
Status: Vetting language, working with potential sponsor

Better Alignment of Duties in the Dependency Cases
Status: Vetting language, working with potential sponsor

Reinstating Overpayment Refund Threshold
Status: working with potential sponsors, may be an amendment on existing bill

Statewide Forensic Pathology Shortage
Status: Sponsor Secured

Addressing the WSP Toxicology Lab Backlog
Status: Will be a budget approp. working with legislators.

Better Alignment of Duties in the Dependency Cases
Status: Vetting language, working with potential sponsor

Modernizing the Process of Registered Warrants
Status: Working with potential sponsor(s)

We need your help! WACO is still looking for more members to join us at the Washington State Legislative Building for Day on the Hill on January 31^st. It is important on this first year back to in-person session to make a big presence on the hill!

WACO's Day on the Hill aims to achieve a visual presence for WACO members, educate legislators about our WACO priority proposals and issues of concern, as well as provide general education on the roles of County elected officials.

A light breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided for attendees.

Don't forget to check out the WACO Legislative Advocacy page to find resources, refreshers, local hotel information, and to get familiar with WACO's 2023 Legislative Priorities!

EDUCATION

Effective Delegation
January 18th, 2023 10:00 AM

Teamwork makes the dream work, and a good team depends on a strong leader that knows how to provide guidance. In this WACO training, trainer Don Read will provide an overview of how to know when to delegate, and how to more effectively delegate as a leader - enabling you to empower your teams and steer your offices towards success.

This training is available to all WACO members and any office staff they would like to attend.

Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (RUUPA)
January 11th, 2023 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM

This Packed Lunch will cover the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (RUUPA). RUUPA was passed in the last legislative session and is taking effect January 1, 2023. This session will cover the basics of the law change and answer any questions you may have regarding Unclaimed Property and how the new law changes how you report Unclaimed Property. This Packed Lunch will be presented by Linda Brown - Unclaimed Property Auditor, Holder Services/Taxpayer Account Administration with Department of Revenue.

Register soon, seats are filling fast

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Conflict De-escalation: How to Respond when Emotions Run High
January 23
Stressful situations escalate rapidly when not addressed with care. How do you help colleagues manage anger, grief, and confusion? How do you move toward resolution in the face of strong emotions? In this 4-hour training we will look at tools to prevent escalation and promote collaborative conflict resolution under pressure. Learn more

Helping Difficult Customers
January 26-27
There is an increasing concern in today’s workforce over customers who are perceived to be rude, distrustful, and at times overly aggressive and potentially dangerous. This course focuses on learning how to distinguish between someone who is truly a difficult customer verses someone who is perceived as difficult as a result of issues around misperception of cultural differences. Learn more

Secrets to Providing Exceptional Customer Service
February 8
Effective communication and people skills are critical in providing exceptional customer service. In this training, participants learn how to not take customer’s needs, demands, and anxiety levels personally. You will learn how to make the customer feel valued and important. Learn more

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Articulate Storyline: Tips, Tricks, & Gamification
February 8
In this course you will expand on the skills acquired in Articulate Storyline Essentials and Articulate Storyline Beyond the Essentials to create advanced interactions and graphics. Learn more

Visio 2016 Level 1
January 23-24
In this course you will practice the tools and techniques used to create professional business and technical diagrams, including flowcharts, organizational charts, and network diagrams. Learn more

Visual Studio for Software Developers
January 17-18
This course provides exactly what you need to get started, whether you're coming from older versions of Visual Studio or another Integrated Development Environment (IDE). In this class, we will explore how to use this tool from the ground up including how to set up your environment and save it to creating your own templates for projects. Learn more

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Communicate to Connect: Skills for a Healthy Workplace
February 9
Workplace conflict, lack of communication, assumptions and incivility are common in many organizations, which can take an emotional and financial toll. Do you feel you struggle to make yourself understood, or find yourself constantly back in the same old problem with a coworker? When you and your colleagues learn how to communicate best, you can have productive dialogue, prevent misunderstanding, and achieve effective conflict resolution. Learn more

Communication Styles & Skills for Employees
January 18-19,
Would you like to know what your communication style is and how your style differs from others? Learn about the strengths and challenges of the different styles and how to “flex” your style to work more effectively. You will also learn about active listening and other communication skills. These skills will enhance your ability to successfully communicate in work and personal situations. Learn more

Internal Dialog - The Language We Speak
February 1
When we start our day at work, we may feel like we're already behind. We have a list of tasks to complete and projects to work on, and it can be daunting. On top of that, we may have negative self-talk that tells us we're not good enough or that we'll never get everything done. This kind of thinking can create obstacles and make it harder for us to be productive. Learn more

Listening Skills
January 25
Listening is a skill that we use every day in our personal and professional lives. Though it may seem like a simple task, listening effectively can be quite difficult. This training will teach you the value of listening, how to overcome obstacles to effective listening, and how to use empathic statements to encourage the speaker. Learn more

INVESTIGATOR TRAINING PROGRAM

Investigator Training Core
January 17-18
This course is designed to provide you with foundational skills when you conduct civil investigations. It will provide you with basic, yet generic and widely applicable concepts, skills, and techniques needed to properly conduct an investigation from its beginning to its conclusion. Learn more

LEADERSHIP & HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Creating Cultures of Trust Through Psychological Safety
February 2
This course is designed to teach methods for creating cultures of trust trough the development of psychological safety. Individuals, teams, and leaders will learn the importance of creating an intentional space to idea share and collaborate without fear of failure. Learn more

Elemental Leadership
January 25-26
Just as the elements of earth, water, air and fire are essential for life, we have identified fundamental elements of leadership in EL. The model effectively communicates a holistic approach to leadership: it addresses who a leader is, what a leader does, and emphasizes the importance of results being grounded in the organization’s values and moving toward the organization’s vision. Learn more

Johari Window
January 18
Expanding your self-awareness and self-disclosure offers great potential for growth and achievement. In this training, you will become familiar with the Johari Window model, practice applying the model, and gain insight into how Blind Spots may get in the way of effective leadership. You will also develop a plan for moving your hidden traits and characteristics into the open. Learn more

Motivating Employees
February 7
This course is designed to teach methods for motivating employees. The participants will learn to identify the characteristics that can encourage employees to become motivated and engage more deeply in their work. Learn more

Performance & Development Plan (PDP)
February 15
This course is designed to help guide an ongoing and cooperative relationship between the supervisor and employee that focuses on results. This workshop will describe, in plain talk, how the PDP process is an integral part of performance management. Learn more

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue
February 14
How you choose to deal with, react to, and treat customers is influenced by attitudes, judgments, biases, and assumptions. This course will teach you essential interpersonal communications skills that will assist you in dealing effectively with difficult customers and situations. Learn more

Five Dysfunctions of a Team
January 30
How you choose to deal with, react to, and treat customers is influenced by attitudes, judgments, biases, and assumptions. This course will teach you essential interpersonal communications skills that will assist you in dealing effectively with difficult customers and situations. Learn more

Outward vs. Inward Mindset
February 15
How you choose to deal with, react to, and treat customers is influenced by attitudes, judgments, biases, and assumptions. This course will teach you essential interpersonal communications skills that will assist you in dealing effectively with difficult customers and situations. Learn more

Problem Solving the Washington Way
February 7
This course introduces all employees to the 9-step problem solving methodology used in a lean workplace. This class covers problem identification and a practical scientific methodology for solving process problems with hands-on, skill building experience in the class. Learn more

RISK MANAGEMENT

First Aid, CPR, and AED – Initial training
February 2
This basic course is an American Heart Association and International Liaison Commission on Resuscitation-approved course for adult learners. The course covers approved material on emergency medicine for lay responders, from how to enter an emergency safely, legal requirements, and of course CPR, AED use, and First Aid. Learn more

Opiate/Opioid Use in the Workplace for Managers
January 26
This course is designed to help managers get acquainted with the diverse groups that may be involved in opioid addiction and the reasons why persons in these groups may fall into addiction. Students will learn the differences between opiates, and opioids. Learn more

Reasonable Suspicion
February 7
Reasonable Suspicion is a suspicion that is based on facts, circumstances, and observations. It is more than just an intuition or feeling and it must be founded on specific and articulable facts. These facts could be direct observation, such as seeing someone use drugs or alcohol, or they could be circumstantial, such as observing someone with the physical signs and symptoms of drug or alcohol use. Learn more

Verbal De-escalation, Conflict and Self Identification of Triggers
January 24
In this introductory course, you will learn how to identify conflict, support people through challenging situations to shift out of their anger, identify personal triggers within yourself, manage those triggers while in conflict, triage and problem solve various conflict scenarios to identify the best strategy for resolution, and practice your new skills in the classroom. Learn more

Workplace Civility and Bullying Prevention
January 31
Workplace civility does not mean that we must agree with each other all the time. It’s okay to disagree, as long as we do so respectfully. Workplace civility also does not mean that we must be friends with everyone at work. We can still maintain our professional boundaries and be civil to those we work with. Learn more

WELL-BEING

Grow through What You Go Through – Psychological First Aid
January 25-26
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a type of supportive intervention that can help people cope with stress after a potentially traumatic event. PFA can be used to create a sense of psychological safety within a team, and to provide team members with tools to support each other during life's challenges. By increasing team cohesiveness and individual resilience. Learn more

Mental Health First Aid
January 17
This interactive course trains laypersons to recognize and respond to the signs and symptoms of the most common mental health conditions and how to help someone through a proven action plan. Learn more

QUESTIONS? - Contact us at traininginfo@des.wa.gov. For a full list of available courses, please visit the Washington State Learning Center course catalog.

MEMBER SERVICES

Are you a county office that’s currently hiring? WACO can help you get connected with the perfect candidate! Contact us to learn about posting your job on the WACO Job Opportunities board.

Candidates that are looking for employment with county and government offices can visit our website to see open positions and subscribe for automatic alerts about new career opportunities. This cross promotion could be just the boost your job opening needs!

A Reminder

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Washington Association of County Officials

206 10th Ave SE

Olympia, WA 98501

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Washington Association of County Officials · 206 Tenth Ave SE · Olympia, Wa 98501 · USA