Best Starts Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) strategy is seeking community members to join a new Centering Black Excellence Community Workgroup! The workgroup will help guide ESIT priorities and recommendations so that they remain rooted in Black and African American community wisdom.
Community workgroup members may be eligible for a stipend of up to $825 to compensate for their time and wisdom. The deadline to apply is December 15, 2025.
Purpose
The Centering Black Excellence Community Workgroup will:
- Review feedback from community conversations held with Black and African American families in September/October 2025.
- Create a working definition of Centering Black Excellence.
- Develop shared recommendations and priorities for King County ESIT.
- Provide input and feedback to help shape a King County ESIT SMARTIE (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, time-bound, inclusive, and equitable) goal Centering Black Excellence.
- Ensure the voices of families and providers in the African diaspora are centered and heard.
Eligibility
We are seeking workgroup members from diverse areas and agencies in King County as well as a variety of roles and identities. We hope you’ll consider applying if you are:
- A parent or caregiver with a child who accessed ESIT services in King County recently (in the past 5 years or so); or
- An ESIT service provider in King County; or
- Serving in leadership for an ESIT agency in King County
Time commitment
We are seeking workgroup members who can commit to:
- Attending four virtual sessions on Mondays, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
- January 12, 2026
- February 2, 2026
- February 23, 2026
- March 16, 2026
- Spending up to 1-hour to review materials/prepare in between sessions
Support & Questions
If you need interpretation, help completing the application, or have any questions, please contact: support-bsk@wested.org
