King County Council approves detailed Best Starts for Kids plan

The King County Council has unanimously approved the master plan for the $400 million Best Starts for Kids initiative voters passed last fall.

Half of the Best Starts for Kids funding will go toward early childhood efforts, like programs that send nurses on regular home visits with low-income moms and babies, a new system for infant and young child mental health, and increased spending on public health services for pregnant women and children.

The new tax will also pay for creative ways to help at-risk youth get back on track to succeed in school and stay out of prison.

The six-year plan has a goal of early intervention to save the public millions of dollars in the long run over the initial investment.