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
Local, State Coalition Presses Congress for Urgent SNAP Fix
Officials on the frontlines of SNAP benefits administration across the nation are warning Congress about a little-known legislative provision with a huge impact on state budgets – an impact supercharged ...
State Leadership: Governors Work to Sustain Food Assistance
Governors and their teams stepped up to provide crucial support and safeguard the well-being of their communities during the 43 days of the 2025 federal shutdown. The shutdown demonstrated Governors’ ...
Policy Academy to Improve Crime Clearance Rates
When crimes are solved and cases are closed, communities experience greater confidence in their justice systems, victims receive closure and potential offenders face meaningful deterrence. For Governors, clearance rates offer ...
Reigniting the American Dream
Every American should have the opportunity to build a life of purpose, to strengthen their community, and to help shape a nation defined not only by prosperity, but by potential realized. Yet across our very diverse states, too many people have lost faith in this opportunity. They’ve faced too many obstacles, encountered too many closed doors, and given up the hope of a brighter future. We can do better.
Reigniting the American Dream is more than an initiative. It’s an invitation for every U.S. governor to take action.
Program Areas
Center for Best Practices Library
Local, State Coalition Presses Congress for Urgent SNAP Fix
Officials on the frontlines of SNAP benefits administration across the nation are warning Congress about a little-known legislative provision with ...
State Leadership: Governors Work to Sustain Food Assistance
Governors and their teams stepped up to provide crucial support and safeguard the well-being of their communities during the 43 ...
Policy Academy to Improve Crime Clearance Rates
When crimes are solved and cases are closed, communities experience greater confidence in their justice systems, victims receive closure and ...
NGA Nuclear Dispatch: Powering a New Era of Innovation
As demand for artificial intelligence (AI) services has grown in recent years, the amount of power they require to continue ...
Reigniting Entrepreneurship and Business-friendly Solutions
A recent college graduate working out of her parents’ garage. A husband-and-wife team whose homemade soda was discovered at a ...
Governors Prioritize Public Safety and Homeland Security
Governors play a critical role in maintaining the nation’s homeland security and are responsible for protecting people, property and businesses ...
Governors’ Health Priorities in 2025
Through emergency response, behavioral health investments, maternal health protections, nutrition innovations, rural health transformation, and workforce development, Governors have demonstrated ...
Energy Security Training
Secure and resilient energy infrastructure is essential for the safety, stability, and economic vitality of every state. Modern life depends ...
Governors’ Workforce Development Efforts in 2025
Throughout 2025, Governors across the nation demonstrated extraordinary leadership in transforming workforce development systems to meet the evolving needs of ...
2025 In Education
Education is one of the largest elements of Governors’ budgets, and as an organization dedicated to supporting Governors’ work, it ...
Governors Lead the Charge On Building America’s Infrastructure
Governors from across the country have long recognized the importance of infrastructure as a foundation of community well-being and economic ...
2025 Health and Human Services Policy Advisors Institute
October 28-29, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) brought together Governors’ health and human services policy ...
PAST NGA CHAIRS INITIATIVES
- 2024-2025
Gov. Jared Polis’s Initiative
Let’s Get Ready! - 2023-2024
Gov. Spencer Cox’s Initiative
Disagree Better - 2022-2023
Gov. Phil Murphy’s Initiative
Strengthening Youth Mental Health - View all…