There’s a moment in childbirth called transition when everything intensifies – emotions are bigger, pain is sharper, and it’s not uncommon for the person giving birth, overwhelmed with fear and exhaustion, to cry “I can’t do it!” The same dynamic plays out in social change movements. Right now, we are navigating backlash against decades of painstaking progress toward equity and justice. We are reeling from the impacts, but when it comes to our kids’ futures, we must dig deep, tap into our shared power, and deliver the world they deserve.

A new report by the Annie E. Casey foundation places Vermont first in the nation on indicators of family housing stability and health insurance(where it is tied with Maine), but presents more worrisome figures for mental health and food security. Read about the findings and their implications for future policy.