This national and state-by-state study reports on the well-being of America's children and promotes discussion on ways to secure better futures for all kids. The Data Book ranks states on 10 key indicators and provides information on child health, education, and family economic conditions. This year, the Annie E. Casey Foundation also explores how early childhood development prepares children for success in school and life, and how to support family-based child care providers. This 17th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book essay looks at a critical component in the continuum of child-care options that millions of families, especially low-income families, use. It is a form of child care that is referred to herein as "family, friend, and neighbor care," which is offered in a home-based setting outside a child's own home, by both regulated and unregulated providers. It is also referred to as home-based and family-based care. It includes the many local caregivers who are paid to work with small groups of children in their homes and who do so as a business enterprise that contributes to the economic and social fabric of their communities. This report examines why family, friend, and neighbor care is so vital to the well-being of millions of kids and why we need to do much more to support and strengthen it. The report also illustrates a number of promising efforts across the country that are taking on this challenge in new and creative ways.