Wyoming dropped from 14th to 27th nationally in this year's Kids Count Data Book published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which ranks states for child well-being.

Micah Richardson, director of programs for the Wyoming Community Foundation, said keeping the overall ranking in positive territory is hard to do when you rank 46th nationally in child health.

"Every year we come back to that health ranking, and every year we are near the bottom," Richardson pointed out. "Each year we talk about the importance of expanding Medicaid, and that has shown to benefit other states, and other families and children."

Wyoming is one of just 11 states to not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which would help an estimated 19,000 mostly low-wage women workers get health coverage. A majority of Wyoming voters want lawmakers to expand coverage, but measures have failed, year after year.

Lack of affordable, accessible and quality child care continues to be a significant barrier to a family's ability to stay on track financially. One in 10 Wyoming children lives in a family which had to change jobs due to child care problems.

Richardson noted child care for a toddler in a single parent household costs, on average, 24% of the median income.

"Wyoming, like so many other places in the nation, is really struggling with child care generally; accessibility and affordability," Richardson emphasized. "Right now the average cost of child care is more than it costs to go to the University of Wyoming."

The U.S. government spends $500 per child annually for child care, compared to $14,000 on average in other developed nations. Some 17,000 children in Wyoming live in poverty, up from 16,000 in last year's report, but the state still made the top 20 for children's economic well-being.

Wyoming ranked 12th nationally in family and community indicators, including improvements in the number of kids living in families where the head of the household has earned a high school diploma.

The California Parent and Youth Helpline turns five years old today - just in time for a brand new study that confirms its effectiveness.

The study, published in the Journal of Technology in Human Services, found that 85% of people felt more positive, calmer and less angry after calling in.

Lead author Elizabeth Harris, a sociology professor at Arizona State University, said that kind of result is rare in social science research.

"Parenting interventions are expensive and difficult to do," she said. "Most interventions take months to take effect, so to be able to do an effective intervention in 30 minutes, that's a big deal."

The data also show about one-third of callers improved significantly on the scale - meaning they either went from making all negative statements to feeling 100% neutral, or they started off neutral and said they felt "100% positive" by the end of the call.

Parents and youths in distress can reach a trained counselor at 855-427-2736, 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Or they can reach out online at CAparentyouthhelpline.org.

Smith said the data show the helpline is especially effective at making people feel heard.

"Fifty percent of people who are lonely and isolated in their parenting role, they feel less of that by the end of the call," she said. "So, it shows that in less than 30 minutes, it's possible for a trained counselor to make a measurable difference."

She explained that the research used what's called sentiment analysis and secondary qualitative analysis, and validates the approach taken by Parents Anonymous, the group that runs the helpline.

CORRECTION: The number of foster care referrals received by Bethany Christian Services is 200 each month. A previous version of the story incorrectly stated it as 200 per year. (2:43 p.m. MDT, May 12, 2025)

May is National Foster Care Month and in Pennsylvania, more than 15,000 children are waiting for foster families. Their advocates are urging more people to open their homes to help.

Carrie Eckhardt, assistant director of domestic services for Bethany Christian Services of the Greater Delaware Valley, said their goal is to support families and children through quality social services. She shared a quote from the mother of Elle, a girl from a tough background who is now thriving thanks to a foster parent who adopted her.

"She's made honor roll every quarter, tried out for and made a sports team at her school, enjoys her youth group, volunteers with a club of her peers and in our church," Eckhardt outlined. "She handles her homework, manages her emotions, completes her chores, fills up her social calendar. I'm just along for the ride, cheering her on."

Eckhardt pointed out the group focuses on child welfare, refugee help and keeping families together, and aims to have enough homes for the 200 foster care referrals it receives each month.

Diakon Adoption and Foster Care helps around 4,000 children a year in 30 Pennsylvania counties, including support after adoption through the Statewide Adoption Network. The Steel family has been fostering with Diakon for 12 years, caring for 21 kids.

Hannah Steel, an adoptive sibling, said in a Diakon-made video her adopted sister Maya struggled at first but is now doing well.

"When she first came to us, it was a little stressful and a little different for her," Steel recounted. "But as time progressed and everything, we all learned how to live together and understand each other. And I think for her, she's made it a long way."

Patricia Menow, senior director of permanency for Diakon, said they use social media and take part in community events to raise awareness about the ongoing need for foster families and to reach as many people as possible.

"We offer 'Triple P,' which is a positive parenting training program," Menow explained. "That's an ongoing program from the time they start coming through as a resource family, through while they are a foster family."

Alyssa Snyder, executive director of permanency for Diakon, said it is important to understand there is a great need for more foster parents and organizations like hers can support families of all types.

"There's no blueprint for this," Snyder acknowledged. "We support individuals who have this interest and ability, and the youth that are coming into care deserve to live in a family. So, we just want to encourage folks to consider that for all ages of youth."


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Ohio's child care system is under strain and a new national report highlighted how Medicaid helps support the workforce behind early childhood care, especially in rural communities.

Medicaid provides critical coverage for child care providers, many of whom are low-paid and often go without employer-based insurance.

Brittany Boulton, vice president of the policy and advocacy organization Groundwork Ohio, said it is especially vital for rural families.

"Cuts to Medicaid would make these problems far worse and leave thousands of Ohioans and rural families without access to coverage and care," Boulton pointed out.

A report by the Georgetown University Center on Children and Family Studies said 30% of children in rural Ohio rely on Medicaid for health coverage, placing the state among the top 10 nationally for rural child enrollment.

National experts warned access to health care is essential not only for children but also for those who care for them.

Daniel Hains, chief policy and professional advancement officer for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, said there is a clear link between health coverage and workforce stability. He noted about 16% of early educators lack insurance and those who do have coverage are more likely to stay in the field.

"We need more highly qualified, well-supported, well compensated early childhood educators, with 25+ percent of early childhood educators relying on Medicaid for their own health insurance," Hains noted. "With the critical supports the program provides for their education and for the children and families they serve."

Ohio's child care sector has lost nearly 6,000 workers since the pandemic began and Groundwork Ohio said access to Medicaid helps retain educators in a field facing critical staffing shortages.