Provider resources 

Best Starts P-5 Innovation Supports

We provide program focused capacity building supports for BSK P-5 funded partners. A team of consultants, the Innovation Supports Team leads workshops, partner convenings, and individualized follow-up facilitation using the IDEAS Impact Framework™ which supports BSK partners in community-driven program design, development, early implementation and evaluation. This strategy strives to offer a range of approaches to supporting innovative community-designed programs in partnership with other BSK P-5 strategies with the goal of increasing capacities which support program implementation, evaluation, on-going learning and adaptation. 

For more information, contact: Hannah Locke, P-5 Innovations Lead: hlocke@kingcounty.gov 

Best Starts Universal Developmental Screening (UDS)

Developmental screenings are an important part of early learning, health care, and well-being for young children birth through age five. Screenings can help you learn about the strengths, interests, and needs of the children you work with.  We offer help, guidance, and materials to early childhood programs that would like to offer screenings.

If you would like to explore adding developmental screening to your early childhood program, contact: Juliette Escobar, Developmental Promotion Lead:  jescobar@kingcounty.gov

Best Starts Workforce Development (WFD)

We provide training, technical assistance, and peer learning opportunities to build the knowledge and skills of early childhood practitioners in three content areas: racial equity, infant and early childhood mental health, and healthy child development.  WFD strengthens the professional development system for early childhood practitioners, including home visitors, child-care providers, doulas, social workers, mental health providers, and others.  Public workshops teach practitioners foundational topics, such as healthy child development, and trauma-informed engagement, and racial equity. WFD also invests in mentorship, networking, and technical assistance opportunities focused on Black, Indigenous and people of color participants, and coordinates communities of practice for affinity groups of Best Starts-funded early childhood practitioners. 

To learn more about BSK's current professional Workforce Development activities, visit: Best Starts Workshops

Early Supports for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT)

ESIT promotes fair and unbiased outcomes for families with children, from birth to 3 years of age, who have either developmental delays or developmental disabilities.

Eligible families are entitled to individualized and quality developmental services.  These services are in line with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C. Services take place at home, childcare, and community settings, and include:

• Family Resources Coordination
• Education
• Speech or motor therapies

ESIT provider meeting

• When: 2nd Monday of even months
• Time: 9:30 am to noon
• Where: Zoom link will differ for each meeting and will be provided to ESIT provider agency leadership

If you have any questions, contact:

Debi Donelan ddonelan@kingcounty.gov or Liz Espinosa-Snow esnow@kingcounty.gov

ESIT training resources and forms

DDECSD contract requirements - Prenatal to 5

Inter-agency agreement for dually served children 12.18.20 Updates (MISSING LINK)

FAQ 12.18.20 Inter-agency agreement for dually served (MISSING LINK)

Training on Data Entry, DDA Change Form, IAA 12.18.20 (MISSING LINK)

Training on Data Entry, DDA Change Form, IAA 12.18.20 Video

Payor of Last Resort

ESIT Extraordinary Expense Form, Instructions, and Policy

ESIT Practice Guides

ESIT Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) training materials

Policies and procedures