The Westchester Children’s Association unveiled Chapter 1 of its 2026 Data Bulletin during its fourth annual Commissioners’ Conversation on Children, bringing together county leaders, advocates, and community members to discuss the challenges facing children and families across Westchester County.
The event featured commissioners and senior county leaders from departments including Planning, Social Services, Health, Community Mental Health, Probation, Youth Development, and the Youth Bureau. Together, participants explored issues affecting children and families and discussed opportunities for collaboration across government and community organizations. 
As part of the program, WCA introduced a new vision for its longstanding Data Bulletin, which has served as a trusted resource for child advocates since 2014. Rather than publishing a single annual report, WCA will release the 2026 Bulletin in chapters throughout the year, allowing the organization to provide more timely information and deeper analysis on issues impacting children and families.
Chapter 1 focuses on demographics and family economic insecurity. The findings highlight the growing financial pressures facing many Westchester households, including rising housing and child care costs, food insecurity, homelessness, and increasing household debt. The report also examines disparities that continue to affect families across different communities throughout the county.
During the presentation, WCA’s Director of Data, Operations & Finance, Limarie Cabrera, emphasized the importance of providing advocates and policymakers with information that is both accessible and actionable. Moving the Data Bulletin online allows WCA to provide additional context and analysis while responding more quickly to changing conditions affecting families.
Attendees also heard from Brandon Washington, WCA’s Data Analyst and Storyteller and Project Lead for the 2026 Data Bulletin. Washington discussed WCA’s approach to data advocacy, explaining that understanding the data is the first step toward creating meaningful policy change. He also announced plans for an interactive Data Bulletin dashboard, expected to launch later this year, which will allow users to explore data and trends in greater depth.
The 2026 Data Bulletin was led by Limarie Cabrera and Brandon Washington, with additional economic data collection and analysis provided by Gabriella Fideleo. Together, the team expanded data sources, strengthened analysis, and helped create a publication that not only presents information but also helps readers understand the broader story behind the numbers.
Future chapters of the 2026 Data Bulletin will focus on Early Childhood and Child Care, School-Aged Children, and Teens and Young Adults, with releases scheduled throughout the remainder of the year.
As WCA continues its mission to ensure every child is healthy, safe, and prepared for life’s challenges, the Data Bulletin remains an important tool for informing decisions, guiding advocacy, and advancing solutions for children and families across Westchester County.
Read our Children By the Numbers 2026 Data Bulletin Today!
Read Press Release for the Commissioners’ Conversation
Watch the Video of the Commissioners’ Conversation
