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.