Blog
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 August 14!
Editor's note: This post has been updated to reflect a new deadline. 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 August 14, 2026 at 5:00...
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 -...
Announcing the Youth Leadership Summit Breakout Sessions!
We are excited to announce an incredible lineup of sessions for the 2026 Youth Leadership Summit. The sessions are designed to encourage, enrich, empower, and exercise the power of young leaders in King County. What: The 2026 Youth Leadership...
New Literature Review: Learn about community-driven capital projects
The rising cost of real estate across King County impacts low-income communities and Black, Indigenous People of Color hardest. That’s why Best Starts’ investments in capital projects are driven...
Non-Best Starts for Kids Funding Opportunities List – May to July deadlines
Review upcoming funding opportunities for babies, kids, and young people from funders and agencies outside of Best Starts!
Best Starts workshops May-August 2026
Best Starts for Kids offers free workshops, trainings, and peer learning opportunities to build up the knowledge and skills of King County providers, caregivers, and community members. We know it's essential to invest in the expertise of our...
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.