NGA Center for Best Practices
NGA Center for Best Practices teams develop innovative solutions to today’s most pressing public policy challenges. The NGA Center is the only research and development firm that directly serves the nation’s Governors.
Latest
The Role of States in Shaping a Future-Ready EV Workforce
States remain on the front lines of developing the skilled workforce needed to support the electric vehicle (EV) sector’s continued evolution and expansion — with career opportunities spanning vehicle and ...
Governors Leading Economic Development
Governors are their states’ chief economic ambassadors, touting the unique advantages their states offer to businesses, and advocating a host of policies – from education to infrastructure to energy to ...
Maternal Mental Health Week 2025
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportunity to recognize and discuss mental health conditions that can arise during and after pregnancy. This year, the week is dedicated to the ...
Let’s Get Ready
All Americans should have access to education that prepares them for success in life. As the world changes and technology evolves, ensuring all students graduate with the skills and knowledge necessary for success is increasingly critical for our nation’s economic competitiveness.
As Governors, we lead states facing economic opportunities but also challenges, shortages in workforce, skills mismatch, and widening opportunity gaps that limit true economic mobility for Americans. We must take these indicators as a call to action.
Program Areas
Center for Best Practices Library
Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship
As a national partner in the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA), the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices ...
The Role of States in Shaping a Future-Ready EV Workforce
States remain on the front lines of developing the skilled workforce needed to support the electric vehicle (EV) sector’s continued ...
Governors Leading Economic Development
Governors are their states’ chief economic ambassadors, touting the unique advantages their states offer to businesses, and advocating a host ...
Maternal Mental Health Week 2025
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportunity to recognize and discuss mental health conditions that can arise during and ...
Congressional Briefing on Governors Reshaping Workforce Development
Last week, NGA and the Harvard Project on Workforce hosted a virtual congressional briefing to present results from the recently released report, Governors Reshaping ...
Empowerment Through Adult Literacy: Policy Pathways for Governors
Adult literacy programs and partnerships provide foundational skills that lead to increased employment opportunities, improved physical and mental health outcomes, ...
Of the Youth, For the Youth, By the Youth: A Governor’s Guide for Incorporating Youth Voice into Policymaking
As states and territories across the country work to address the challenges that many youth face related to their mental ...
2025 GHSAC Winter Meting
The Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC) met April 15-17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The GHSAC regularly brings together Governors’ ...
Let’s Get Ready to Improve the Value of Education
How can we reshape the education system to promote economic mobility? How should we assess the value of a diploma? ...
Policy Academy to Strengthen SNAP Employment & Training Delivery
In 2024 the NGA Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), in partnership with Third Sector Capital Partners (Third Sector), launched ...
Fentanyl Awareness Day 2025
Tuesday, April 29th marks the 4th annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day. This is a day of reflection and remembrance of ...
Governors Advancing Workforce Development – April 2025
From classrooms to careers, workforce development is a top priority for Governors who know that a strong economy starts with ...
PAST NGA CHAIRS INITIATIVES
- 2023-2024
Gov. Spencer Cox’s Initiative
Disagree Better - 2022-2023
Gov. Phil Murphy’s Initiative
Strengthening Youth Mental Health - 2021-2022
Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Initiative
K-12 Computer Science Education - View all…