This introduction, one of three parts of "Adding It Up: A Guide to Mapping Public Resources for Children, Youth and Families," explains the why, how and what behind creating a children, youth, and families (CYF) resource map. Setting the stage for what's involved in the process, this overview provides a good framework for understanding both the benefits and the challenges of getting the job done right. A CYF map is different than its standard public accounting cousins. Unlike traditional budget documents, one of the core purposes of a CYF map is to shift the focus from reporting on spending by departments and agencies to a perspective that shows overall investments in children, youth and families. By cutting across bureaucratic boundaries, CYF maps can provide decision makers with a fresh and more meaningful vantage point from which to view their work: one that allows them to see not only specific goals, but the context in which they occur. [For "Adding It Up: A Guide for Mapping Public Resources for Children, Youth and Families," see ED503977.]