It's a new year, which means legislators across the country are making the trek to their respective capitols for the official business of running the state and making laws. New bills are being introduced, governors are reporting on the state of the states, and advocates are looking for signs--any sign!--that their beloved programs are safe and well funded.

Along with the speechifying, governors are releasing their budget proposals, which are a pretty good indication of where their priorities lie. While the picture for teen pregnancy prevention at the federal level has been mostly good news (well, at least not terrible news), for the past five or so years, the landscape at the state and local levels has been much more challenging. With the economic crisis and waning resources, prevention programs have become a bit of an afterthought--the struggle has shifted from advocating for more funding to simply protecting what precious funds are already dedicated to this work so that programs and services for youth can continue.

The picture this year remains complicated. According to reports, Gov. Bob McDonnell is proposing the elimination of Virginia's remaining funds for its teen pregnancy prevention initiative. His reason: the state should be focused on things that work--which makes sense, except this was not that mantra when federal money for evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention was turned away in 2010. In Georgia, the state's successful Adolescent Health and Youth Development program is at risk, along with its Teen Centers, which provide health services to youth in a "teen friendly" setting, with afternoon, evening, and weekend hours. And in some states, like South Carolina, intact funding for these initiatives is a silver lining in an otherwise confusing economic picture.

Teen pregnancy prevention advocates are also among the most resourceful professionals we know, so we're not surprised that these challenging times have sparked innovation and efficiency. For example, in Minnesota, a private foundation has stepped up to the plate to provide much-needed additional support to organizations working in communities with the highest risk of teen pregnancy. And there are many more examples of organizations and agencies across the country filling in gaps and continuing this important programming, even in the face of drastic cuts. Additional funding from the federal government for teen pregnancy prevention filtering down into communities doesn't hurt, either.

You've heard us make the arguments here about how cutting prevention programs is silly, and we suspect that you, our dear readers, know that better than anyone. Tell us: what's the picture like in your state or community? Is funding scarce? How are you making it work?