Perspective.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation tracks how well the United States takes care of its kids, using its "Kids Count" data book, in which it annually ranks states on overall child wellbeing. The Kids Count index does that by using four domains to capture what children need most to thrive: economic wellbeing, education, health, and family and community. Now, each of those domains includes four indicators that represent the best available data to measure the status of child wellbeing at the state and national levels.  In the first of a two-part series, Perspective will examine what the "Kids Count Data Book" says about how Americans are currently taking care of their children.     Guest: Laura Speer, associate director for policy reform and advocacy at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and one of the authors of the Kids Count data report.   Perspective is a weekly public affairs program hosted by Richard Baker, communications professor at Kansas State University. Perspective has been continuously produced for radio stati