Latest Blog Posts

  1. Supporting our Communities during COVID-19

    Greetings from Human Services! It’s been a minute (okay, more like 2 months) since my last message out from Pierce County Human Services Department, and how things have changed.  I won’t keep you long, since I know you are all busy and a long weekend...

    HumanServices

  2. Remembering

    As a Navy veteran, Memorial Day has always held special significance for me.  It is the day we set aside to remember those of our military who have sacrificed their lives for our country.  As both a student of our history and through my personal...

    Pierce County Executive Blog

  3. Pierce County CARES: Free personal protective equipment (PPE) available to businesses

    Pierce County is providing free personal protective equipment (PPE) to county businesses to help them comply with COVID-19 workplace safety practices and protect employees and customers. This program is funded through $158 million in Coronavirus Aid...

    DerekYoung

  4. Be the change!

    I received an email from a Pierce County resident who was concerned with the number of people in our County that don’t seem to be taking this COVID virus seriously. And I have the same concerns. I have also heard from people that have asked us to...

    ConnieLadenburg

  5. I’m listening

    I have enjoyed writing and sharing my blog with you over the last three years.  But, aside from the handful of replies or emails I receive in response to a post, this blog is a one-way dialogue.  That’s why I was excited to host our first-ever...

    Pierce County Executive Blog

  6. Concerns about work release plans

    The Legislature has authorized creating 200 beds for work release between June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021. Fifty of these beds will be allocated to Pierce County during this period. This action is not COVID-related but is intended to fill a need for...

    ConnieLadenburg

  7. Appreciation

    Although Cinco de Mayo didn’t have quite the same flair this year, there are plenty of other things to celebrate this month.  I looked up day and week commemorative events and learned Lumpy Rug Day was earlier this week and Water a Flower Day comes...

    Pierce County Executive Blog

  8. Pierce County CARES

      Pierce County received $158 million in federal funds via the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act).  The law allocated the funds to local governments over 500,000 population, so we were one of only five in Washington...

    Pierce County Executive Blog

  9. Generous people

    The name Puyallup can mean “generous people” and the phrase definitely reflects the history and character of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.  It is also a quality I see in many of my neighbors in my hometown of Puyallup. But that quality of generosity...

    Pierce County Executive Blog

  10. A bigger donor

    I am a pretty healthy guy – something I take less for granted in our current coronavirus outbreak.  And I have some very good veins and am O+, which means my blood can help a lot of different people.   So, I take nearly every chance I can to donate...

    Pierce County Executive Blog

  11. Not enough words

    The words “thank you” are inadequate to express my appreciation and gratitude to those of you working long days and nights and through the weekends to make sure our residents are taken care of and that the work of the County continues on as best as...

    Pierce County Executive Blog

  12. The best part of my week

    I am very proud of how our community has responded to the Coronavirus outbreak.  It brings us challenge after challenge, yet our teams work to find solutions time and time again.  Our Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and Emergency Management...

    Pierce County Executive Blog

  13. Uncharted waters

    I love nautical charts.  They give me a sense of confidence, imply adventure, and are packed with information describing the environment both above and below the water.  Wrecks, rocks, currents, tides, harbors, channels – even magnetic deviation – it...

    Pierce County Executive Blog

  14. Where to get help during the COVID-19 pandemic

    I continue to receive information about where to go to get help. Here are some other resources you may find helpful. Connie South Sound Outreach: Financial, Expenses, Health, Food, School Operation Plans/Meals, Employment and Health Care  Pierce...

    ConnieLadenburg

  15. COVID-19 Temporary Care Centers

    I have been in communication with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the County’s Emergency Management Director in addressing the concern people have about where to go if they have been exposed to COVID-19 but are not sick. We will be...

    ConnieLadenburg

  16. COVID-19: Keeping You Informed

    The County is working in partnership with Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, the State Department of Health, the Governor, our local cities, our Congressional delegation, our local businesses, and non-profit providers. This only works if we know...

    ConnieLadenburg

  17. Human Services Response to COVID-19

    My favorite meme right now says something like this, “What a year this last week has been.”  I bet you all can agree.  From hour to hour, let alone day to day, we don’t know what new challenge or obstacle is going to come our way. But I can tell you...

    HumanServices

  18. By the numbers until…

    As we all try to process the COVID-19 outbreak, we are being inundated with numbers. One of the most impressive websites is the interactive map made provided by Johns Hopkins University (https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html). I watch the number of...

    Pierce County Executive Blog

  19. COVID-19 Update for March 20th

    – Derek Young, Pierce County Council I want to start by saying that my heart goes out to the people affected by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. These are extraordinary times which can be stressful for everyone. But it’s also been inspiring to see...

    DerekYoung

  20. The vote for behavioral health funding

    It has been a week since the Pierce County Council failed to pass an ordinance to help fund services for behavior health. Now that my anger and frustration have settled, I am able to share with you some of my thoughts that I expressed the night of...

    ConnieLadenburg