Summary

The County Council has approved Executive Constantine’s plan to implement the first strategy that will be funded by his Best Starts for Kids initiative. He’s now finalizing the implementation plan for the rest of the initiative, which he will send to the Council on June 1.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine today thanked the County Council for approving his implementation plan for the first strategy that will be funded Best Starts for Kids, a voter-approved levy he created to produce better outcomes in health and well-being.

The first strategy – based on a highly successful pilot project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – will provide customized interventions to families who are at imminent risk of homelessness.

“I thank County Councilmembers for approving the first strategy to be funded by Best Starts for Kids – one that will prevent children, youth and families in our region from becoming homeless,” said Executive Constantine. “We will now finalize the implementation plan for the entire initiative, to help transform our children’s future by focusing on promoting healthy development and intervening early to help solve problems.”

Executive Constantine will send his plan to implement the entire Best Starts for Kids initiative to the County Council on June 1. The levy is expected to generate nearly $400 million over the next six years. The first $19 million will invest in the Youth and Family Homelessness Prevention Initiative.

Half of the total funding will invest in strategies that focus on birth through 5, when 92 percent of brain growth occurs. It will sustain the gain by providing early intervention as problems such as serious depression and addiction occur during teenage years. And it will invest in safer, healthier communities that reinforce progress.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Chad Lewis, Executive Office, 206-263-1250