Workforce Development Mini Grants

The Workforce Development Mini Grants RFA, issued by the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) through its Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports Division, offers funding to support professional development for the Prenatal to Five workforce in King County. This funding opportunity is part of the broader Best Starts for Kids initiative—a voter-approved, community-driven effort aimed at ensuring that every child born and raised in King County has the opportunity to be healthy, safe, and thriving. Best Starts emphasizes equity and invests in holistic supports for children, families, and caregivers across the county. The program particularly seeks to empower smaller community organizations, which often deliver culturally responsive, high-impact services. The Workforce Development strategy supports growth in three priority areas: Early Childhood Development, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, and Racial Equity. Grants are intended for small organizations—those with 15 or fewer employees—that serve young children and their families, providing them with resources to enhance workforce skills and capacity. The RFA encourages organizations to assess their internal needs and apply for support to address workforce knowledge gaps, improve community-centered care, and promote racial equity through professional development activities. Allowable expenses under the grant include a wide range of activities such as registration fees for accredited trainings or conferences, short-term courses, hiring facilitators, and acquiring educational materials. Organizations may also use funds to organize community-building events and workshops related to healthy childhood development and racial equity. However, the grant cannot be used to cover indirect organizational costs such as rent, payroll, or equipment purchases. Awardees must use their funds within six months of the agreement date and report on expenditures and outcomes, including metrics like number of participants or training hours completed. Eligible applicants must be based in King County, serve Prenatal to Five populations, and demonstrate integration of equity and social justice principles in their operations. Applications must be submitted by the published deadline and align with the defined scope of work. This opportunity is not intended for large institutions, and preference may be given to organizations that have not previously received awards under this RFA. Submissions are evaluated by a panel using a weighted scoring rubric, and interviews may be conducted if needed. Successful applicants will be notified in December, with agreements tentatively beginning mid-December and ending by June 30 of the following year. The application process is managed through Microsoft Forms, with a final submission deadline of November 18 at 4:00 p.m. An optional information session was held via Zoom, and applicants were encouraged to contact the program lead for questions or technical difficulties. Free technical assistance is also available through designated consultants who can support eligible organizations in completing their applications. This program is designed not only to provide funding but also to build long-term organizational capacity and community-led workforce development in King County.

Demonstrate equity and racial justice integration clearly; align your budget with stated goals; use TA consultants if needed.