The second in a series, this volume highlights 18 indicators of children's well-being in the 50 states and presents case studies of 5 states' strategies to prevent various problems among the birth to 5-year-old population. Indicators are grouped according to factors that may place young children at risk; these include: (1) mandatory kindergarten attendance; (2) poverty; (3) health status; (4) age, welfare, and employment status of mothers; (5) participation in state and federal support programs; and (6) indicators of long-term dependency. Statistical tables provide information for each indicator by national region/state. Case studies concern Illinois' Ounce of Prevention Fund, Maine's children's deaths initiative (the "Governor's Agenda for Children"), Missouri's Parents as Teachers Program, New Jersey's HealthStart initiative, and South Carolina's Interagency Early Childhood Development and Education Council. The case studies, which are based on interviews with key respondents, provide a record of how the states identified problems, developed a programmatic response, built public support, generated interagency cooperation, garnered cooperation from the business community, secured legislative approval and funding, implemented and monitored programs, and conducted evaluations. The case studies offer a generic blueprint and strategic lessons for other states seeking to implement primary prevention programs. Additional indicators for which states should collect data are identified. (RH)