How could something so simple as the power of good communication about good works and good results produced by advocacy initiatives in communities across America be so neglected by thought leaders and top executives in the child/youth field?

Why is it that the power centers of philanthropy for children, youth, and families—America's foundations—so seldom seize the opportunity to include obligatory disciplines and funding for effective messaging, as an imperative in accountability measurement for their grantees?

The on-the-ground evidence is clear that good works, accompanied by communication of good results to staff, to children and families served, to the local business community, and to all stakeholders in the well-being of children, can create a huge and sustainable multiplier effect for even a single initiative on behalf of disadvantaged and at risk children.

Do we want a level playing field for all children who need to be ready by 21? If so, we have to pull the Good News Lever for simple scorecard communication. What people want, and what will inspire, is Results! Results! Results! Telling stories about Who's Doing What That Works—face to face, in print, by email, and in all Web 2.0 environments—about the doers, how they did it, and the benefits for the young people served.

We have observed, at Child Advocacy 360 Foundation, and throughout our years of service, that the vast majority of youth-serving organizations haven't the funding or the skills required to organize an adequate messaging program, and good sense follow up, particularly in community-based environments.

The resources must come from the top—whether the funding comes from a private foundation, or corporation, or government agency. There must be language in financial support grants—logically in the accountability area—that will lift communication performance and monitoring to a new
level.

An organization such as The Communication Network, already serving U.S. foundations, is absolutely capable of creating a proper template. And the Child Advocacy 360 and Connect for Kids partnership—already committed to a Communication as Catalyst editorial initiative—has the
skills and Communication Central web environment needed to nurture a collaborative, interactive experience while hosting, and promoting to a larger caring public and youth workers, the story-telling dimension of the undertaking.

We are also confident that there is a Momentum Multiplier potential at work here — demonstrating models on a daily basis to advocates, youth workers, legislators, and caring citizens all, that they can easily make a difference right in their own back yards.