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 supported the Best Starts for Kids 5 – 24 team, worked closely with partners, … Continued
Jordan Kinney, 19, had dreams of becoming an electrician or construction worker, so he could help support his siblings and mom and work toward building his own family someday. But last summer he was feeling stuck. The pandemic had made him feel disconnected from his peers and further away from opportunities. “Last summer I wasn’t … Continued
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 own. We will always promote our Best Starts funding opportunities here on the … Continued
Since 2020, Best Starts for Kids has worked in partnership with The Capacity Collective, community-based early learning service providers, and families to develop a culturally responsive measurement tool to measure protective factors in King County families. Measuring protective factors is a strengths-based way of measuring supports and health in families and communities. The Culturally Responsive … Continued
When Toyia Taylor was in high school, a supportive interaction with her school counselor set the path for her life’s work. She used to spend her lunches largely isolated: jotting down thoughts and ideas in her journal, tucked away on the lunchroom’s radiator. “I could have really gone down this trajectory where I really stayed closed, … Continued
We are excited to share that the Best Starts for Kids Home-Based Services Supportive Environments Request for Applications (RFA) is now open! This funding opportunity closes on Tuesday, April 16 at 3PM, please submit your application by then. Click here to view the full funding opportunity details and apply. About this opportunity: Home-based services are … Continued
The King County Children and Youth Advisory Board (CYAB) is seeking new members for Executive appointment. The CYAB is a King County executive-appointed oversight and advisory body made up of King County residents with geographically and culturally diverse perspectives. Interested individuals should be passionate about issues impacting children and young people in King County, and willing … Continued
Young people have invaluable insights into how best to strengthen the mental health and well-being of their peers and communities. Best Starts is investing in young leaders whose passion and innovation can help improve the well-being of their communities. Best Starts is proud to continue funding the Youth Healing Project, which provides mini grants to … Continued
We are excited to share that the Best Starts for Kids Positive Family Connections Family Network Mini Grant request for proposals (RFP) is now open! This funding opportunity closes on Friday, April 26 at 2PM, please submit your application by then. Click here to view the full funding opportunity details and apply. About this opportunity: … Continued
King County, Auburn Mountainview High School and Sea Mar Community Health Centers celebrated the opening of the first school-based health center located in the Auburn School District March 7. School-based health centers offer health services to students at their school – usually for no cost and have positive impacts on students’ well-being and school participation. … Continued
