Find news highlights of Best Starts for Kids.
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...
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,...
King County families can now enroll in a subsidy that will help them save an average of $15,000 in child care costs.
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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! ...
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...
We are deeply saddened to share the news that our beloved friend and colleague, Kimberly Walker, passed away. Kimberly joined the Best Starts for Kids team in 2019 as the 5 – 24 Policy and Program Manager. In her role, Kimberly...
We offer equity-centered workshops for King County early childhood providers.
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.