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 stations across the nation by K-State for well over six decades. The program has included interviews with dignitaries, authors and thought leaders from around the world. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].   K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.