Vermont recognized early on that a coordinated, longitudinal data system was a critical and missing piece of Vermont's early childhood system infrastructure. Through participation in the National Governors Association's 18 month Supporting Ready States initiative, stakeholders were able to tackle this issue and create a roadmap for the Vermont Early Childhood Data Reporting System (ECDRS) that would begin to help answer key policy questions. When the ECDRS is fully developed, Vermont policymakers and practitioners will be able to track early childhood outcomes, measure the return on investments, inform program planning and policies, and drive continuous improvement. (author abstract)