For the past 21 years, the KIDS COUNT project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation has tracked the well-being of children at the national, state, and local levels. Over the years, the foundation's work has documented both great progress in child well-being and periodic setbacks. The 10 key indicators tracked in the KIDS COUNT Data Book over the past two decades reveal significant overall improvements in health and safety outcomes for children. This report begins with a review of the data on how children and families are faring in the wake of the recession. It then looks at what the research says about the importance of family economic success and early childhood investments for increasing opportunity and preparing the next generation to succeed. Drawing from successful initiatives at the state and federal levels, it then discusses effective policies and programs that can help ensure a strong economic future for the country. To help tell the story of the human impact of the recent economic downturn, five families from across the nation are also profiled in this publication. These families--from Atlanta, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; Los Angeles County, California; Rochester, New Hampshire; and San Antonio, Texas--have faced different struggles but share a common bond: the help they received and the hope they have for the future. Multi-Year State Trend Data for Overall Ranks is appended. (Contains 6 tables and 57 endnotes.) [For "KIDS COUNT Data Book, 2010: State Profiles of Child Well-Being", see ED516507.]