Blog
News & Upates
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...
We want your feedback: We’re redesigning the Best Starts blog!
Best Starts is partnering with Resource Media to redesign the Best Starts for Kids blog! We want to create a site that is responsive, accessible, easy to navigate, and aligned with our core values. Your feedback is essential and will help us...
Now accepting applications for the Help Me Grow RFP – apply by July 18!
We are excited to share the Best Starts for Kids Help Me Grow request for proposals (RFP) is now open! This funding opportunity closes on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 12PM, please submit your application by then. Click here to view the...
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...
Our spring Best Starts playlist: rewatch info sessions for opportunities releasing in April – June, 2025
At Best Starts, we are working in deep partnership across the initiative to share open and upcoming opportunities with the community. If there is an opportunity that you are interested in learning more about and applying for, we encourage you to...
Now accepting applications for the Youth Healing Project – apply by July 17!
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 July 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM, please submit your application by then. Click here to view the...
Announcing 12 Stopping the School-to-Prison Pipeline awardees
At Best Starts, we work to build equitable systems and create pathways of success for young people 12 to 24 years old. Our Stopping the School-to-Prison Pipeline (SSPP) strategy partners with community-based organizations to support young people...
