President Obama recently announced a new summer service initiative in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service. Local service projects can find volunteers and volunteers can find projects in education, health, energy, the environment and more.

Can Twitter and Facebook really perform miracles for hardworking child advocates? Journalist and Child Advocacy360 blogger Ray Schultz takes a look at the brave new world of social networking.

The advocacy organization Every Child Matters persuaded hundreds of members to congratulate President Obama on his first 100 days and on the “kid-friendly parts” of his budget. How did it mobilize so many? Through e-mail, Facebook and Twitter, among other things. But can children’s champions use social media to make a real-world impact? Commentator Ray Schultz talked with Every Child Matters.

The latest federal budget is making its way through Congress. So what's in it for children and young people?

The Search Institute conference (November 5-7, 2009 in Cincinnati) brings together people from different community sectors nationally and internationally who share a common goal: to work together to promote positive youth development through asset building.

Children's Rights reports that Wisconsin officials have agreed to an aggressive new plan aimed at fixing persistent problems in the state-run system responsible for providing care and protection to abused and neglected children in Milwaukee.

Stateline.org has released its annual "State of the States" review of significant state developments in 2008 and likely policy trends in the year ahead. And it's free -- making it a tool advocates can't afford to miss. Stateline.org also has the dates for each state of the state address on their website.

Join Youth Service America in mobilizing young people to improve their communities during the Semester of Service that kicks off on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 19, 2009. Semester of Service provides the framework and tools for children and youth, aged 5 to 25, to prepare a plan, take action to implement their solution, reflect on their progress and next steps and celebrate their success.

Where are the grants going? Check your state and check by category with this interactive Foundation Center site that tracks grants, loans and other help to local charities during the economic downturn.

The National League of Cities is hosting a free hour-long call that will highlight city efforts to use geographic information system (GIS) technology and other tools to map available youth programs and resources and analyze gaps in city services. The data gathered from these local mapping efforts can be critical to ensuring that young people have are close to the programs and services they need most.