Blog
Another record-breaking year: More than 240 young people graduate from King County’s youth reengagement programs
Hundreds of young people celebrated earning their secondary credentials (GEDs or high school diplomas) last month, supported by programs in the Department of Community & Human Services’ Children, Youth and Young Adult...
Take the Best Starts for Kids Health Survey by October 1!
The Best Starts for Kids Health Survey is now open to all parents and caregivers in King County with children in elementary school and younger! We conduct this survey every two or three years to help us understand how children and...
Non-Best Starts for Kids Funding Opportunities List – July to September deadlines
Review upcoming funding opportunities for babies, kids, and young people from funders and agencies outside of Best Starts!
The Best Starts for Kids Roadshow is heading to South King County!
If you work with pregnant people, babies, kids, or young people in King County, we hope to see you at one of our Roadshows! The Best Starts Roadshow is all about bringing together our community partners, staff, and local city officials to build...
More than 200 young leaders build shared vision at Youth Leadership Summit
Young people from every corner of King County came together at the Museum of Flight on a sunny Saturday in May to build a shared vision of youth leadership in our region.
Free sun shades for King County child care providers
Outdoor play is essential to early learning but can be unsafe in high temperatures because young children can't regulate heat as effectively as adults. Shade supports quality play, increased play time, and learning. In 2025, King County...
Now accepting applications for the Youth Healing Project – apply by July 21!
We are excited to share that the Best Starts for Kids Youth Healing Project request for proposal (RFP) is now open! This funding opportunity closes on July 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM, please submit your application by then. Review the funding...
Non-Best Starts for Kids Funding Opportunities List – June to August deadlines
Review upcoming funding opportunities for babies, kids, and young people from funders and agencies outside of Best Starts!
Announcing the keynote speakers for the 2026 King County Youth Summit
We’re excited to announce our keynote speakers for the 2026 King County Youth Summit! King County Executive Girmay Zahilay will provide the welcome address and Jessica Warner, youth leader and Chief of Staff for the Washington Youth...
We’re hiring a Help Me Grow Coordinator!
The application deadline is June 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm Pacific. Best Starts for Kids is hiring a Help Me Grow (HMG) Coordinator (Project/Program Manager II) to strengthen systems that connect children and families to the resources they need -...
Best Starts Workshops
We offer equity-centered workshops for King County early childhood providers.
Best Starts for Kids Dashboard
This dashboard shows the impact of Best Starts funding across its eight investment areas: Child Care, Investing Early, Sustain the Gain, Youth and Family Homelessness Prevention Initiative, Communities of Opportunity, Capital Projects, Technical Assistance and Capacity Building, and Data and Evaluation.