We are excited to share the Best Starts for Kids Investing Early Together: Community-Based Parenting Supports, Home-Based Services, and Universal Developmental Screening & Promotion request for proposals (RFP) is now open! This funding opportunity closes on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 2PM, please submit your application by then.
We recognize that prenatal to five services are interconnected and complementary. In response to extensive community feedback, we are releasing this joint RFP to streamline the application process, reduce administrative burden, and provide organizations with a full and clear picture of funding to support sustainable staffing and community services.
Use the following links to view the full funding opportunity details and apply:
- Community-Based Parenting Supports
- Home-Based Services
- Universal Developmental Screening & Promotion
Note: Please create a log-in to view details and access the ZoomGrants webpage.
About this opportunity
Best Starts Investing Early investment area supports expecting parents, babies, and very young children during their critical development years alongside their families and caregivers. Community-Based Parenting Supports (CBPS), Home-Based Services (HBS), and Universal Developmental Screening & Promotion (UDSP) are three Investing Early strategies that meet families where they are: in the home, out in community, at child care, or wherever children are cared for. Investing Early services are relationship-centered and community-led so we look to community for direction, to determine strengths and needs, assess opportunities, identify priorities, and provide customized programing.
CBPS partners will offer services in community settings and spaces where caregivers and families are comfortable gathering. CBPS programs include: Kaleidoscope Play and Learn, Parent-Caregiver Information and Supports, and Lactation and Perinatal Support Services.
HBS partners will provide ongoing, voluntary, relationship-based support in the places where families live. We recognize a spectrum of different home visiting programs and models, including Nationally-Implemented Models and Community-Designed Models.
UDSP partners will provide culturally appropriate information, training, tools, and connections among early childhood providers to ensure all families have a deep understanding of their child’s development. Programs will partner with families to increase interest in and access to developmental information, screening, and referrals for young children and destigmatize developmental differences.
Eligibility
This funding opportunity is open to not-for-profit organizations, community-based organizations, tribes and tribal organizations, schools and school districts, and public or governmental agencies serving communities in King County. Small non-profits and community-based organizations are encouraged to submit proposals.
Eligibility requirements: Proposed programs and services must be provided within King County and serve expecting family and/or families with children up to age five.
Partnerships: Partnerships are eligible to apply. One organization must agree to serve as the lead and contract administrator.
Attend our information session
We strongly encourage anyone interested in applying to attend our information session to learn more:
- Monday, May 19, 2025, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Pacific Time
- Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Pacific Time
Learn more about this funding opportunity and access meeting details for the information session within the full RFP document: CBPS, HBS, and UDSP.
Funding available
We have budgeted approximately $15,819,900 for this funding opportunity. View available funding by strategy in the tables below:
Community-Based Parenting Supports
| January – December 2026 | January – December 2027 | Total (24 months) |
| Up to $2,507,813 | Up to $2,563,237 | Up to $5,071,050 |
Estimated award amounts per 24 months:
| Program | Award amount (24 months) |
| Kaleidoscope Play and Learn | $50,000 to $100,000 |
| Parent Caregiver Information and Supports | $250,000 to $280,000 |
| Lactation and Perinatal Support Services- Projects | $60,000 to $100,000 |
| Lactation and Perinatal Support Services- Programs | $250,000 to $800,000 |
| Lactation and Perinatal Support Services- Systems Coordination | $100,000 to $140,000 |
Home-Based Services
| July – December 2026 | January – December 2027 | Total (18 months) |
| Up to $2,246,500 | Up to $4,614,350 | Up to $6,860,850 |
Estimated awards will range from $300,000 – $430,000 per 18 months.
Universal Developmental Screening & Promotion
| July – December 2026 | January – December 2027 | Total (18 months) |
| Up to $1,290,000 | Up to $2,598,000 | Up to $3,888,000 |
Estimated awards will range from $50,000 – $250,000 per 18 months.
Timeline
| RFP Issued | April 28, 2025 |
| Information Session | May 19, 2025, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm June 4, 2025, 10:00 am – 11:30 am |
| Final day to initiate request for technical assistance | June 13, 2025 |
| Final day to Submit Questions | June 13, 2025 by 2:00 pm |
| RFP Application Due | June 20, 2025 by 2:00 pm |
| Applications Reviewed | July, 2025 |
| Interviews with applicants (if applicable) | July 21 – 25, 2025 |
| Notification of Selected and Non-Selected Applicants | September, 2025 |
| Contract Anticipated Start Date | January 1, 2026 (CBPS) July 1, 2026 (HBS) July 1, 2026 (UDSP) |
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about this funding opportunity, you can submit a question before Friday, June 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm to Phillip Thompson, RFP Lead at CPRES-BSK@kingcounty.gov.
Would you like support? Access Best Starts technical assistance!
Free application support is available for organizations interested in applying for this Best Starts funding opportunity! Best Starts partnered consultants can support by: helping to determine appropriate fit between your work and this funding opportunity, providing guidance on how best to answer application questions, supporting your application development (including editing and reviewing), and supporting you in explaining your qualifications in the most clear and concise way.
If you are interested in partnering with a technical assistance consultant, learn more here.
1. Check out our funding calendar
This calendar shares upcoming funding opportunities staggered throughout the year. Subscribe to our blog and newsletter to receive notices whenever we post a new funding opportunity.
2. Watch our latest recorded info sessions
If you were unable to make it to the info session for an open funding opportunity, check out the recordings and slideshows.
