Best Starts for Kids was born in community. We asked parents, families, caregivers, and communities what they wanted for their children. They responded with their hopes and dreams — not just the things they wanted to avoid and prevent but the beautiful things they wanted for their children. These community aspirations shaped Best Starts for Kids into what it is today.
Last fall, we partnered with community across all corners of King County to host over a dozen community conversations. We heard what you felt went well during the first five years of Best Starts for Kids and what needed improvement. We keep coming back to you to ensure that we are doing what the community has asked of us; where we are falling short, we listen and want to improve.
Over the past several months, we have been working on the Best Starts Renewal Implementation Plan, which will help guide the second Best Starts for Kids levy — if renewed by King County voters. We are now heading back into community to ask, “did we get it right?”
We hope you can join us and our partner organizations across King County. We look forward to hearing from you as we continue to build on our shared vision for King County babies, youth, and families!
Community Conversations
RSVP for an upcoming community conversation and we will follow up with a Zoom link and other vital information prior to the event. We will continue to update this page as we confirm additional community conversations.
Thursday, June 3 from 4-5:30pm
- Hosted by the Empowering Youth Network with a focus on the Snoqualmie Valley community and Northeast King County.
- RSVP here
Wednesday, June 9 from 6-7:30 pm
- Hosted by Community Network Council with a focus on Kent, Des Moines and Covington communities.
- RSVP here.
Wednesday, June 9 from 9-10:30 am
- Hosted by North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA) with a focus on North King County Human Services providers and other organizations.
- RSVP here.
Thursday, June 10 from 3-4:30pm
- Hosted by the Village (Trauma-Informed and Restorative Practices partners) with a focus on organizations doing trauma-informed restorative work in King County.
- RSVP here.
Monday, June 14 from 9 – 10 am
- Hosted by Vashon Youth and Family Services with a focus on Vashon and Maury Island partner organizations in King County.
- RSVP here.
Monday, June 14 from 4-5:30pm
- Hosted by the Greater Maple Valley Community Center with a focus on Maple Valley, East Renton, Black Diamond, Covington, Hobart, Ravensdale, and Enumclaw.
- RSVP here.
Tuesday, June 15 from 4-5:30 pm
- Hosted by Build the Bridge Coalition with a focus on Federal Way, Auburn, Des Moines, N. Milton, Algona and Pacific community organizations in King County
- RSVP here.
Wednesday, June 16 from 4-5:30pm
- Hosted by Youth Development Executives of King County (YDEKC) with a focus on young people and organizations that serve youth and young people.
- RSVP here.
Thursday, June 17 from 1-2:30 pm
- Hosted by LGBTQ Allyship, POCAAN, and Lambert House with a focus on LGBTQ community organizations in King County.
- RSVP here.
Friday, June 18 from 11 am -12:30 pm
- Hosted by Auburn Family Providers and community-based organizations in Auburn, Enumclaw, and Black Diamond.
- RSVP here.
Monday, June 21 from 10-11:30 am
- Hosted by Eastside Pathways with a focus on Eastside King County including Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Bothell communities.
- RSVP here.
Tuesday, June 22 from 4-5:30 pm
- Hosted by Southwest Youth & Family Service (SWY&FS) and City of Burien with a focus on Highline, Burien, White Center, SeaTac and West Seattle communities in King County.
- RSVP here.
Howdy Mike Dee here,
Hi BSK peoples,
This Levy suffers from some of the same things as the Veterans, Homeless, & Seniors, Levy. (or whatever that ended up getting called, the was a pretty bad structure, for that Levy.)
Too complicated, difficult to apply, or understand the bigger picture, limited groups funded, minimal children involved. Limited to Non-Profits, but not mentioned till ready to apply process. Demographic requirements a huge barrier. When a School District, multiple non-profits, and children serving organizations gather together, to compile, complete and turn in an application, then it doesn’t get funded, they all lose out, all those children, no funding in the local area. Many of the grants are too specific, for very proprietary things. The workshops are nice, and good, but the granting process should not be so challenging, difficult, and hard to fill out that application that these are necessary, vs, just offered. I would not suggest a renewal for this, if it stays the same. I would guess that, Too many children are not a recipient of a single cent of this Multi-Million Dollar Levy. Fix it, then come back. Trying to push it in the middle of the summer, to sneak it on the August 3rd, 2021 Election Ballot is shameful. No plan to address children experiencing homelessness in the school districts. How can you have such a high percentage of children experiencing homelessness, and not address that, they are definitely not have a best start as a kid. come on. There is more issues, concerns, and things to be addressed, fixed, and figured out. Wait to renew it.
I do not think you quite did it right yet.
Thanks,
Mike Dee out