Hi YDEKC Members and Friends!
As you know, progress is being made towards a new funding source to support children, youth, and families in King County called Best Starts for Kids. This is a top priority for YDEKC this year, prioritized at our YDEKC Member Summit last fall. We will be sending updates and action opportunities regularly about the Levy (like the one below) throughout the summer and fall. If you’d prefer to NOT receive these updates, please reply and we’ll remove you from this list (but keep you on our monthly e-newsletter “YDEKC Field Notes” list).
A few quick updates:
First off, the King County Youth Action Plan PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE last Thursday evening! As it was heard before the “Committee of the Whole” it should move forward for a final vote on June 15th. This lays great ground work for how King County will do its business moving forward.
Second, the next hearing on Best Starts for Kids will occur this Wednesday (tomorrow) morning:
- June 10th at 9:30am @ Council Chambers | 10th Floor of the King County Courthouse | 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
Having a packed house at EVERY meeting will be important in showing the community support for moving the levy forward to voters. Committees traditionally don’t take public testimony, but testimony will be heard at this hearing.
If you are able to testify on Wednesday morning, please prepare for 2 minutes. Linked here are some key talking points prepared by Mike Heinisch of Kent Youth and Family Services. Please consider integrating a few of these points into your messaging. Please also let me know if you’d like additional support preparing your testimony.
You can sign up to receive updates from Executive Constantine on the Levy here.
Hope to see you tomorrow morning!
Best,
Jessica
Executive Director
Youth Development Executives of King County
Working together to advance the youth development field
jwerner@ydekc.org | 206.336.6912