Your Weekly Update on What's Happening at the King County Council  

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Tomorrow, as we gather around the table with our friends and friends, I hope that you will enjoy the time spent and meal shared with your loved ones.

Thanksgiving is not only a season to give thanks for our many blessings, but also an opportunity to pay it forward if you are able. Even as inflation and supply chain issues limit donations to local food banks, many of our neighbors continue to struggle during these tough economic times, so I encourage you to check with your local food bank to see what support they need during the holidays.

As always, I am grateful for the privilege of representing you on the King County Council. From my family to yours, wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

All my best,

Reagan Dunn
King County Councilmember
District 9

King County Council authorizes $316,000 in contributions for Foothills Trail

This week, the Council approved legislation I sponsored that allows King County to accept a combined $316,000 in donations from Pierce County government and the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition to support the Foothills Trail Segment B project.

This project will construct new segment of the Foothills Trail, filling the missing 1.5-mile link between Buckley and the Pierce County Regional Trail System through a new bridge over the White River. I am grateful to Pierce County and the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition for their partnership!

• Snowflake Lane - Nightly, November 25 - December 23 at 7 PM in downtown Bellevue
  Experience the wonder of falling snow, dazzling lights, festive music, toy drummers, and dancers in this complimentary nightly parade of holiday floats.  Gather on the sidewalks between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square from NE 4th to NE 8th Streets. Free parking available in nearby garages.
• Renton Holiday Market - Saturday, November 26, 12 - 4 PM at Piazza Park on S 3rd & Logan
  Shop for fresh produce, artisan foods, and locally crafted gifts!
• Maple Valley Hometown Holidays - Thursday, December 1, 6 PM - 8 PM at 4 Corners
  Tree lighting, holiday music, live reindeer, photo opportunities, community vendors, and more! 
• The 2022 Jerry Woods Holiday Engine - Starting December 2 in Maple Valley, Kent, and Covington
  Santa will be visiting neighborhoods this year in the Maple Valley, Kent, and Covington areas to collect food and donations for the Maple Valley Food Bank. Check the routes page to determine if your neighborhood is on the list of those to be visited, and if so, when.
• Covington Community Tree Lighting - Saturday, December 3, 4 PM - 6 PM in the Fred Meyer Parking Lot across from Don Henning roundabout Come enjoy caroling, crafts, cookie decorating, Santa photos, and even an appearance from our friends from Arendelle, Anna and Elsa!
• Mountain View Fire and Rescue Holiday Event - Saturday, December 3, 4 PM - 7 PM
  Bring canned food & new, unwrapped toy donations for local food banks, tour the fire station, make a cup of cocoa from our hot cocoa bar & take pics with the engine & crew! 

If you would like to have your event featured in an upcoming newsletter, please contact Jon Cantalini at jon.cantalini@kingcounty.gov.

BSK Child Care Subsidy Program

Best Starts for Kids (BSK) is a King County voter-approved initiative to support every baby born or child raised in King County to reach adulthood happy, healthy, safe and thriving. Starting in 2022, these investments include $20 million per year for a new child care subsidy program.

Families who are interested in the subsidy can fill out a five-minute eligibility form to see if they may qualify for help paying for child care. This is the first step in the application process.

Find more information at the Best Starts for Kids website.

Alan M. Painter Grant Program

King County’s Alan M. Painter Grant Program funds community projects that allow unincorporated area residents to participate in, and be more connected to, their communities and King County. Applications are due December 2, 2022.

Find more information at the Department of Local Services website.

Help Me Grow King County Grants

The Help Me Grow King County strategy is  designed to support families and their children by connecting them to what they need, when and how they need it.

This RFP is seeking to partner with groups and organizations:

• that are rooted in the communities they serve;
• that share culture and language with the families and communities they serve;
• that hold strong relationships with the families and communities they serve; and
• that implement family and community informed programs providing pregnant women and people, parents and caregivers warm connections to services.

Applications are due Thursday, December 15, at 2 PM.

Find more information at the Best Starts for Kids blog.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Services Available for Nonprofits 

King County and our partners can provide technical assistance and capacity building to community-based organizations and nonprofits receiving federal COVID-19 funding.

Find more information at King County's Department of Equity and Social Justice website.

King County Child Care Financial Assistance Program

Eligible families may receive financial assistance to pay for their child care at eligible providers.

Find more information at the Child Care Resources website. 

In the News

• The Center Square: Can Stampede Pass rail be improved? New WSU study aims to find out