Our 7th annual YDEKC Member Summit last week was an inspirational and energizing day that brought together more than 50 of our executive leaders to share the challenges and opportunities we are facing as non-profit leaders supporting holistic outcomes for kids in King County. In the midst of growing disparities, evolving needs and exciting new funding through Best Starts for Kids, we grappled with the full costs and complexity of our sector. We heard from County Executive Dow Constantine about the County’s vision for “Happy, Healthy, Safe and Thriving Kids” and from Sheila Capestany about the County’s Children and Youth Advisory Board’s Equity Statement.
Having had staff from King County come to Cedarbrook for our 4th summit back in 2014 to share the early thinking on what would eventually become the Best Starts for Kids Levy, it was exciting to see this work become reality, despite the continued challenges, and new competition amongst community based organizations. Best Starts is also trying to do things differently than the traditional way funding gets allocated, with community voices in RFP processes, an equity lens on all decision making, and disrupting structural inequities within government itself.
Special thanks to all of our staff, Advisory Board members and Advocacy Committee members who stepped up to facilitate conversations.
We will be compiling all of the notes and feedback and sharing information back with you in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, the slidedeck from the event can be found here!
