The Nonprofit Risk Management Center's 2009 Risk Management and Finance Summit is an educational event that draws nonprofit leaders from across the country who assist and support nonprofits. The Summit offers a time and place for nonprofit executives, managers and other leaders to network and discuss hot topics and trends that affect the governance and operations of their organizations. At the Summit a spotlight is focused on the topics of risk management, finance and human resources-three disciplines that play a significant role in creating and sustaining a firm foundation on which an effective nonprofit organization can deliver its mission. The Summit is an event for those who want to strengthen the foundations of their organizations, fine tune risk management practices, and thereby enable greater focus and resources to be devoted to mission fulfillment. Sunday to Tuesday, September 20-22, 2009, Austin, TX.

This Feb. 20, 2009 National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and Forum for Youth Investment webinar will highlight the bipartisan efforts of state legislators who are prioritizing the coordination of services, developing a common set of outcomes and collaborating to implement plans that foster the well-being of youth. For details contact Ian Faigley at ian@forumfyi.org

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.

"The fact is that extended early-childhood intervention has been proven to work. We have little to show, on the other hand, for our vast expenditures on Title I in its current form," said Ed Zigler, long-time policy advocate for young children and founder of Head Start. Title 1 is the major federal funding stream for elementary and secondary schools for programs serving large numbers of disadvantaged students.

Oklahoma's universal pre-K program has shown dramatic benefits for Hispanic students who participate in high-quality preschool programs. These children, especially those from Spanish-speaking homes, improve their English and cognitive development skills and are more likely to be prepared for kindergarten than those not enrolled.

Children's Express reports on a Spanish-language program for migrant parents that helps them develop nonpunitive discipline skills, deal with the stressors of acculturation, improve family communication, and understand U.S. child abuse and neglect laws.

The Purple Elephant Computer Factory in Raleigh, North Carolina is providing low-income children with inexpensive refurbished computers to help them succeed in school and bridge the digital divide.

The 2008 New Mexico Children's Cabinet Report Card & Budget combines an analysis of youth outcomes with the state funding that supports them. Email Claire Dudley at claire.dudley@state.nm.us for a copy.

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.

The Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health is a non-profit advocacy organization committed to promoting, protecting, and preserving the health and well-being of Michigan's pregnant women, infants, children, and their families.