Broadening Scope
KIDS COUNT has evolved from that single data book to a powerful network and brand with an independent advocacy organization in every state, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
This report tells the story of how a single data book documenting child well-being measures turned into a mission-critical vehicle for the Foundation in building bipartisan support for proven practice solutions and policy change. The report includes data and research insights that the Foundation gained from decades of investing in a data measurement program that is now a keystone for shaping and amplifying policy on a broad scale.
KIDS COUNT has demonstrated that a philanthropic foundation can establish a mechanism for tackling complex social problems that remains both durable over time and ready to respond at a moment's notice. The program also established a resource to empower all who care about making change for children as the data bring objectivity to anecdotal and ideology-based family policy discussions. Ranking the data plays to the natural competition among states, gaining attention and challenging policymakers to do better.