There is plenty of hard-to-take news this week -- especially from reports on rising food insecurity and unemployment among vulnerable families.

But there's good news, too -- on the federal budget for kids, health care reform and a new initiative to strengthen community colleges and the role they play in preparing young people for the workforce.

This year may be a turning point for kids and the federal budget. First Focus documents decades of kids losing "market share" in the competition for federal dollars, but the Obama administration's Fiscal Year 2010 budget calls for higher investments in children -- and the Congressional appropriations committees appear to be following President Obama's lead.

On health care, three House committees have introduced a plan for health care reform, while Senate committees continue working out details of their version. Advocates see this year as critical to turn around two dangerous trajectories -- rising health care costs and increasing numbers of families without access to affordable, quality health care.

In a global economy, preparing a skilled workforce is key to shared prosperity. A new White House initiative to strengthen community colleges is an important step.

Amid growing poverty and projections of poorer health outcomes for future generations, many are taking a closer look at our food supply -- how scarcity is derailing family health and how mass production affects food choices in the kitchen and cafeteria. What can we all do to make sure our nation's kids are well fed?

Finally, as most of you know, Connect for Kids is merging with the Youth Policy Action Center, National Youth Development Information Clearinghouse and Child Advocacy 360 to become SparkAction -- a one-stop spot to share news, ideas and opportunities for action to improve the lives of children, youth and families. Coming to a computer near you in the fall!

Heads up: the July 29 Update will focus on funding opportunities for your work.

Jan Richter, CFK editor emeritus

No Falling Behind this Summer: Dispatches from DC
These lazy, hazy, crazy days don't have to be quite so hazy. CFK's talented young interns have been following some key policies that you'll want to be aware of and have written succinct summaries of a few recent events on and around Capitol Hill:

• The Scoop on the White House Community College Initiative

• "Hunger after the School Bell" -- Advocates Gear Up for the Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization
  

• The Real Measure of Child Poverty, and What We Can Do About It -- a Congressional Briefing

Case Study: How MomsRising uses Social Media to Get its Message Out
by Ray Schultz, Child Advocacy 360
Sure, social media can make or break movies -- witness this week's Twitter-fueled Harry Potter frenzy or the drop in Bruno ticket sales -- but can it help fuel a social change movement and engage concerned adults and young people around issues? Here's what MomsRising.org is learning.

First, Do No Harm
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports that proposals being considered by the Senate Finance Committee to change subsidies that help low and moderate-income families afford health insurance could push more poor families out of the system.

Take Action: The Fair Way to Pay for Health Care Reform
The Coalition on Human Needs says that if Congress is considering health care reform proposals that scale back benefits or eligibility, it is because Congress is hearing from special interests and not enough from constituents. Ultimately, getting health care reform right depends on raising revenues in a way that spreads the burden fairly. You can tell your Senators and Representatives to do health care right, with CHN's online letter campaign.