Investing Early in Child Well-Being Gives King County Kids the “Best Start”Dow Constantine has served as executive of King County, WA, since 2009. During his tenure, Executive Constantine championed Best Starts for Kids, a voter-approved initiative to ensure every baby born or child raised in King County reaches adulthood happy, healthy, safe, and thriving. Since its inception in 2015, Best Starts for Kids has supported more than 500,000 children, youth, and families; partnered with more than 500 organizations; and launched more than 570 community-led programs to support the well-being and health of the county’s children. In 2021, King County voters renewed the levy that funds Best Starts for Kids with more than 62% of voters approving the effort for another six years.We spoke with Executive Constantine about his work to support King County’s children, youth, and families and the most recent funding renewal for Best Starts for Kids. You can watch the full video interview and read an edited version of our conversation below.Filed under:Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Youth, Young Adults, Advocates/Intermediaries, Funders, Policymakers/Agency Leaders, Video, Voter-Approved Children’s FundsFiled under:Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Youth, Young Adults, Advocates/Intermediaries, Funders, Policymakers/Agency Leaders, Video, Voter-Approved Children’s FundsMore Resources Video Public Financing in Times of Uncertainty Presenters share strategies for confronting challenges kids' programs and services face during these unstable political times. Publication Travis County Votes “Yes” for Affordable Child Care Advocates in Travis County, TX, won a ballot measure in 2024 that will provide more than $75 million annually to fund services for infants, toddlers, children, and youth. Updates and Events News March 20, 2025 Multiple State Legislatures Introduce Bills to Provide Sustained Funding for Kids News January 29, 2025 State Tax Cuts Threaten Public Funding Just When Child and Youth Programs Are Most Needed Insights December 11, 2024 Reflecting on a Year of Accomplishments for Children and Youth—and Preparing for a New Political Climate Close Share it! Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Click to copy URL Link Copied!
Video Public Financing in Times of Uncertainty Presenters share strategies for confronting challenges kids' programs and services face during these unstable political times.
Publication Travis County Votes “Yes” for Affordable Child Care Advocates in Travis County, TX, won a ballot measure in 2024 that will provide more than $75 million annually to fund services for infants, toddlers, children, and youth.
News March 20, 2025 Multiple State Legislatures Introduce Bills to Provide Sustained Funding for Kids
News January 29, 2025 State Tax Cuts Threaten Public Funding Just When Child and Youth Programs Are Most Needed
Insights December 11, 2024 Reflecting on a Year of Accomplishments for Children and Youth—and Preparing for a New Political Climate