As reported by the National Research Council, children are in danger of growing up "in circumstances that limit the development of their potential, compromise their health, impair their sense of self, and generally restrict their chances for successful lives." In its efforts to help such children, CIS focuses on the connection of needed community resources with schools to help youth learn, stay in school, and prepare for life. During the 1998-99 school year, CIS reached more than 800,000 youth and their families through 1,100 schools in 35 States and the District of Columbia. The articles in this journal profile CIS programs that range from targeting the rural poor in Hidalgo County, TX, to the inner city poor in Sacramento, CA. Authors examine the disparities between the rural poor and urban poor. Another article examines equity in school funding, such that poor children are ensured of receiving their fair share of resources. Web sources and other reference information are provided to help with putting ideas into practice.