Beginning this month, thousands of randomly chosen families with children in elementary school or younger will receive a postcard and letter asking them to take the Best Starts for Kids Health Survey. This survey is conducted every two or three years to help us understand how children and families are doing, learn about their greatest strengths and needs, evaluate the changing conditions in King County, and guide the activities of the Best Starts initiative.
This phase of the survey is by invitation only, but later this Spring, the Best Starts for Kids Health Survey will be open to all parents and caregivers in King County with children in elementary school or younger. Click the Subscribe button in the top right corner to follow our blog and get notified of survey updates.
Whether you’re a parent or caregiver, work closely with parents, or both, please help us spread the word about the Best Starts for Kids Health Survey, and encourage parents who receive the survey to take it. Your voice is important, and we hope you’ll participate!
Frequently asked questions about the Best Starts for Kids Health Survey:
How long is the survey?
The Best Starts for Kids Health Survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. You can take the survey online or by phone with an interviewer from the University of Washington.
Is the survey available in multiple languages?
The Best Starts for Kids Health Survey is available in English, Chinese (Traditional), Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Families can complete the survey online or by phone with a bilingual interviewer.
What kinds of questions can I expect, and why do they matter?
The Best Starts for Kids Health Survey will answer important questions about our kids’ health and well-being. Your responses help us answer questions such as: Do families in our region receive the child care they need? How are families handling the demands of raising children? Are kids thriving in supportive school environments? Over time, the survey helps us track whether our efforts are making a difference in the health of King County children and understand what changes can be made to further create positive outcomes.
How is my information kept secure and confidential?
We understand that some of the survey questions might feel personal or be difficult to answer for various reasons. Participation is voluntary, questions can be skipped, and you can stop taking the survey any time. All your answers are confidential, and your responses will not impact services you receive. Only select trained employees with permission to work with confidential information can see responses and all the data is carefully saved using secure technology. Children’s and respondent’s names are removed to keep responses confidential and only summarized results will be shared publicly. No one family or individual can be identified, and the data is collected only to inform Best Starts for Kids’ work. We will never ask for you or your child’s: Social Security Number, immigration status, credit card information, bank account information, money or donations.
How do I participate?
If your family is randomly chosen, you will receive a postcard and letter from the University of Washington School of Social Work Survey Research Division with a unique survey link. It will have the Best Starts for Kids logo, so you know it is us. You may receive a call or reminders by email or text from the University of Washington.
