Best Starts for Kids (Best Starts) is a community-driven initiative to support every baby born or child raised in King County so they reach adulthood happy, healthy, safe, and thriving.
Providing King County kids with the best start in life.
BLOG
Happy, Healthy, Safe and Thriving in King County, Wa
kids, youth, & caregivers served through mid-2020
Invested throughout King County
Community Partners
new community-led programs
Our Philosophy
Promotion
We increase the positive things available to babies, children, young people and their families.
Prevention
We decrease things that may prevent babies, children and young people from growing up to be healthy and happy.
Policy & Systems Change
We work to change systems and policies so that all communities in our region can thrive and prosper regardless of race or place.
Early Intervention
We intervene early to support children and young people who need additional resources to succeed.
Learn more at Kingcounty.gov
How do we do it?
The first Best Starts levy, approved by King County voters in 2015, invested $400 million into our community over six years and supported more than half a million children, youth, young adults, and families in partnership with over 500 community-based organizations.
Support
Equity
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Transparency
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Browse Events
Relationships
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Community Oriented
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Best Starts
VALUES
Best Starts for Kids strengthens families and communities so that babies are born healthy, children thrive and establish a strong foundation for life, and young people grow into happy, healthy adults. We do this by focusing on these key values.
Equity
Transparency
Relationships
Community Oriented
Events & Workshops
Non-Best Starts for Kids Funding Opportunities List – July to September deadlines
At Best Starts we are working to build long-term sustainable supports for our community so that every baby born and child raised is happy, healthy, safe and thriving. Part of building sustainable systems is recognizing we can’t do it all on our...
Announcing 34 Youth Development Awardees
Young people thrive when they have access to safe, supportive environments, that provide a sense of belonging. Our Youth Development strategy resources programs that provide mentorship, leadership opportunities, connections to community and...
Now accepting applications for the Workforce Development Mini Grants RFA – apply by August 11!
We are excited to share the Workforce Development Mini Grants Request for Applications (RFA) is now open! This funding opportunity closes on Monday August 11, 2025 at 4 PM, please submit your application by then. Click here to view...
Sheila Ater Capestany departs Children, Youth, and Young Adult Division; King County leaders gather to recognize her lasting impact
This was originally posted on the Department of Community and Human Services Cultivating Connections blog. After over a decade with King County Department of Community and Human Services, Sheila Ater Capestany will depart the Children, Youth and...
Child Care Subsidy Program & Workforce Demonstration Project
We expand access for children and their families who are not eligible for existing federal, state, or local subsidy programs or for whom these programs are insufficient and supports investments in the child care workforce through a wage boost demonstration project.
Learn more here.
Preventing Youth & Homelessness
Best Starts’ Youth and Family Homelessness Prevention Initiative invests in case management and flexible funds to support families that are on the verge of homelessness. Learn more here.
Strengthening Communities
Best Starts invests in Communities of Opportunity, a unique community-public-private initiative that believes the most meaningful, just, and sustainable solutions are generated in partnership with communities, who know what they need to be healthy and thrive. Learn more here.
Capital Projects
If the total projected levy proceeds exceeds $822M, additional funding – up to $50M – will be used to provide grants to support repairs and expansion of buildings and facilities, and to support the construction of new buildings and facilities that will serve children and youth.
DATA
Best Starts for Kids Dashboard
Best Starts for Kids is King County’s community-driven initiative to support every baby born and child raised in King County to be happy, healthy, safe, and thriving.
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.
We value data and evaluation to understand how our investments are impacting King County’s children and communities. Learn more here.
Learn More!
Got Questions? Reach out for more details.
Kora Handsan
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Miranda Hunt
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