07-07-2015 Best Start for Kids Initiative7/7/2015
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BEST STARTS FOR
"An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth
A Pound of Cure"
• Science tells us prevention and
early intervention are most
effective and least expensive
approach
• Yet, much of the County's funding is
responding to negative outcomes
— 75% of the County's general fund pays
for the law and justice system
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The Earlier the Investment,
The Greater the Return
Prenatal programs
Programs targeted toward the earliest years
E— Preschool programs
E— Schooling
Prenatal 0 -3 4 -5
Source: Heckman (2008)
.- Job Training
School
Post - School
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Prevent Crises Before They Begin
• Start early and invest
heavily before age 5
• Then, make strategic
investments at the critical
points in a young person's
development
• Invest at the community
level to reinforce a child's
progress
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What is Best Starts for
Kids?
• 6 -year countywide levy for Nov.
2015 ballot
• Outcomes -based investment in
kids, families and communities
— Babies are healthy
— Children are safe, healthy thriving
community members
— Communities are safe, welcoming
and healthy
Funding Details
Amount:
• $58.3 million in 2016
• $392.3 million over six years (avg. of $65.4 million /year)
• $0.14 per $1,000 of assessed value
— costing the average homeowner about $56 per year
Distribution:
• 50% ($32.7 million annual average) for age 0 -5
• 35% ($22.7 million annual average) for age 5 -24
• 9% ($6.0 million annual average) for community
• 6% ($4.0 million annual average) for data, evaluation and
infrastructure
Initial Collection: Family & Youth Homelessness Prevention
Initiative; scientific research for prevention; levy reserves
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Implementation
• County will lead a comprehensive community
planning process after levy passes
• Assumptions:
— Majority of funding out to the community
– Contracts will be competitive, outcomes - focused
• Governance —two advisory bodies:
1. Investment strategies for ages 0 -24: Will create a
new advisory body (Youth Action Plan
recommendation)
2. Community investment: Will use existing
Communities of Opportunity Interim Governance
Group
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Investment Strategies: Before Age 5
Strategies
• Supporting parents and caregivers
• Maternity Support Services
(MSS), Women, Infants &
Children (WIC), and family
planning
• Home -based visiting for new
moms and babies (for example,
Nurse Family Partnership)
• Providing training & tools for
childcare providers
• Identification and early intervention
for kids experiencing trauma
Outcomes
• Stabilize
maternal child
health public
health services
• Reduce low birth
weight
• Reduce
unintended
pregnancies
• Reduce
suspensions &
expulsions from
child care, etc.
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Investment Strategies: School Age (5 -24)
Strategies
• Early intervention and treatment for
mental, behavioral and substance
abuse
• Improving school nutrition and
physical activity environments
• Expanding School Based Health
Centers
• Helping to provide a successful
transition to adulthood
Outcomes
• Reduce
psychiatric
hospitalizations
• Reduce youth at
an unhealthy
weight
• Reduce use of
alcohol or drugs
• Reduce chance
of entering
justice system
Investment Strategies: Community
Strategies
• Communities of Opportunity
Examples:
• Improve opportunities for physical
activities
• Increase access to healthy and
affordable food
• Creating safe places to live
Outcomes
• Address
inequities
based on place
• Improve
quality of life
index in
communities
Timeline
• Executive transmitted Ordinance to County
Council on April 29
• Council to vote on legislation by July 20 for
November 2015 ballot
La King County
BEST STARTS FOR
K S
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Questions?
For more information:
Sheila Capestany
Strategic Advisor for Children and Youth
King County Department of Community & Human
Services
(206) 263 -7823
Sheila .Capestany@kingcounty.gov
www.kingcounty.gov/beststarts
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