The Best Starts Initiative works alongside community partners to provide resources for pregnant people, babies, kids, young people, and families.

Over the course of the levy, Best Starts has worked with hundreds of community partners and served more than 500,000 people in King County. Through dozens of unique programs, from prenatal supports to programming that reaches young adults, it’s likely you, a family, or a young person you know has been connected to Best Starts.

Highlights of Best Starts Resources

Homelessness prevention: In 2023 Best Starts worked with more than 2,300 young people or parents with young children to prevent them from becoming homeless. You can seek resources for homelessness prevention by emailing: homelessnesspreventi@kingcounty.gov
Child care assistance: More than 1,500 children in King County receive the Best Starts Child Care Subsidy each year which helps their families pay for child care. While there is currently a wait list, if you are currently on the subsidy, you can access support by emailing: bskchildcaresubsidy@kingcounty.gov
Organizational resources: For organizations that are seeking Best Starts funding we offer technical assistance on applications. For organizations funded through Best Starts, we provide capacity building supports.
Helping young people meet their goals: Nearly 1,000 young people got education and employment supports through YouthSource, CECO, and Learning Center Seattle programs in 2024. If you are a young person seeking to accomplish goals in your education, career, and beyond, you can reach out to the Reconnect to Opportunity team to get started.
Learn more about Best Starts programs: You can read up on all the programs Best Starts funds in our Year In Review 2023 Annual Report!

Best Starts in the Community

 

Spot the Bus!

Tag Best Starts in photos you take of the Best Starts bus and you could win swag!

You can tag us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or email your photos to best.starts@kingcounty.gov and we will share on social. Then we will connect with you to enter you into a drawing to win swag like t-shirts, mugs, stickers or tote bags!

For organizations:

We have resources like technical assistance for organizations applying for funding, capacity building for funded organizations, and information on our blog about upcoming funding opportunities, events, training and more!

Best Starts for Kids

Best Starts is a voter-approved initiative to support every baby born or child raised in King County, Washington to reach adulthood happy, healthy, safe, and thriving.

Building on the deep knowledge, connections, and skills within King County communities, and backed by what science and research tells us about human development, our community-based supports meets children and families with the right services at the right time. Learn more here.

Have questions about Best Starts for Kids?

Reach out to us, whether you want to see what resources are available or if you just want to learn more!

You can contact us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or by email at best.starts@kingcounty.gov

Original photos featured on the Best Starts Bus by Kelly Vang Photography and Soko Photography.