King County, WA’s
Best Starts for KIDS –Reauthorization

Annual Money Generated: $146.6 million ($880 million over 6 years)

In 2024 over 1,600 children received child care subsidies and in 2025-2027 Best Starts for Kids will pilot a wage boost program for 1,400 child care providers (this is a new program area for Best Starts for Kids). In total, over 106,000 children and adults (early childhood providers, parents, guardians) received services focused on children ages prenatal to 5, including Help Me Grow, home visiting, developmental screenings, and more. Best Starts for Kids’ “Sustain the Gain” investments for children and youth ages 5-24 also support programs like school health centers, mental health screenings, youth development, academic enrichment, and employment support.  (2024 results dashboard, 2022-2027 implementation plan)