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.
News
Find news highlights of Best Starts for Kids.
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...
Learn More About the Youth Action Plan Transmitted to Council
This was originally posted on the DCHS Cultivating Connections blog. The well-being of young people is vital to the success of our communities. The Youth Action Plan is King County’s commitment to youth happiness,...
UPDATED: Need help paying for child care? You can join The Best Starts Child Care Subsidy waitlist!
King County families can now enroll in a subsidy that will help them save an average of $15,000 in child care costs.
UPDATE: Best Starts Child Care Worker Wage Boost issues $2.6 million to child care workers so far in 2025
This was originally posted on the DCHS Cultivating Connections Blog. Nearly 1,000 child care workers across King County received a pay increase in 2025 thanks to the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Worker Wage Boost Pilot. Through 2027, the...
King County Executive issues proclamation recognizing May 9 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day
To recognize the vital work of child care workers, King County Executive Shannon Braddock issued a proclamation Friday designating May 9 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. Here’s how Best Starts supports child care in King County ...
Exciting news for elementary school kids: Guaranteed recess!
This was originally published on the Public Health - Seattle & King County Public Health Insider. Beginning this school year, students across Washington State will have more time for their favorite part of the school day—recess! Thanks to...
Youth Bill of Rights heads to King County Council; King County Executive asks Councilmembers to adopt
This was originally posted on the DCHS Cultivating Connections Blog. The Youth Bill of Rights Task Force, 2022. More than 2,200 young people from across King County shared their thoughts and input to create a new Youth Bill of Rights for King...
King County Executive issues proclamation recognizing May 10 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day
In recognition of the essential work of child care workers, King County Executive Dow Constantine issued a proclamation designating May 10, 2024 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. Read the full proclamation here or below! ...
Remembering Kimberly Walker: May 4, 2024 is Kimberly Walker Day
The Best Starts team was heartbroken by the passing of our colleague and friend, Kimberly Walker. In honor of her powerful work in the community in King County and beyond, King County Executive Dow Constantine issued a proclamation designating...
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.