NGA CENTER FOR BEST PRACTICES
The NGA Center for Best Practices teams and divisions develop innovative solutions to today’s most pressing public policy challenges. The center is the only research and development firm that directly serves the nation’s governors.
Coronavirus Response
Governors have been on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus and our experts have been tracking state actions and identifying solutions to address both the public health and economic aspect of this crisis.
For more please see our coronavirus response page or view some of the memo we have prepared for governors as they respond to these crises.
Most Recent Memos
- Unemployment Insurance During COVID-19This memo describes: What current unemployment assistance flexibilities exist under the CARES Act and Continued Assistance Act; What presidential actions have been taken to provide additional unemployment compensation as CARES Act benefits expired; What states are doing to increase UI staffing and system capacity; What governors are doing to further improve access […]
- Phased Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccines: State and Territorial ApproachesThis table provides information on state and territorial plans for phased allocation of COVID-19 vaccines. As initial supply of COVID-19 vaccines is limited, Governors are focused on prioritizing certain high-risk populations for vaccine allocation through a transparent and equitable process. It outlines state and territorial approaches according to Phases 1a-c, 2, and […]
- State COVID-19 Vaccine ResourcesGovernors of states and territories, working in close collaboration with local partners, have responsibility for a wide array of activities to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are effectively and equitably distributed and administered. COVID-19 Vaccine Resources State responsibilities for COVID-19 vaccines include determining allocations to critical populations; receiving vaccine allocations from the federal government; […]
- Allocating COVID-19 Vaccines in Initial Phases of Distribution: Federal Recommendations and Considerations for StatesThis memorandum summarizes federal recommendations regarding who should receive the initially limited vaccine first, how states are approaching allocation and implementation of federal recommendations in initial distribution phases, considerations for addressing challenges that may lie ahead, and appendices with additional information and resources. (View/Download) With Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) now issued by […]
- States’ Winter Holiday and Celebration Safety Guidance during COVID-19This list outlines states’ health and safety guidance and considerations for winter holidays (e.g., Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, New Year’s) and seasonal travel. This list does not address county or municipal guidance. Please note this list is not exhaustive of statewide actions. In addition to the below guidance, state guidance in effect regarding […]
> View All NGA Coronavirus Memos
Publications
- State Roadmap for Workforce Recovery
- Exploring the On-Demand Economy in Colorado
- Supporting an Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines
- The Road Ahead: Planning for Electric Vehicles by Managing Grid Interactions
- The Future of State Telehealth Policy
Webinars
- State Resilience Assessment and Planning Tool Demonstration
- Wastewater Testing to Track and Respond to COVID-19
- Creating an Agenda for Workforce Recovery: A Workshop Series for States
- Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
- Policy Making During a Pandemic: Navigating the New Normal and What Lies Ahead Roundtables
Meetings Materials
- Outdoor Recreation Learning Network – Annual Meeting 2021
- Bolster the Resilience of Defense Installations
- Offshore Wind Summit for Governors’ Energy Advisors
- Human Services Policy Advisors Institute: 2020 Virtual Series
- Planning For The Future Workshop: Strategies To Meet Governor’s Clean Energy Goals
State Guide for Preparing the Future Workforce Now

The State Guide for Preparing the Future Workforce Now presents three transformational objectives necessary to truly reimagine workforce policy and prepare all current and future workers for success in a technology-rich economy. To explore policy pathways that help achieve each transformation, use the arrows to rotate the policy pathways wheel and click “explore” to dive deeper. You’ll be able to learn more about each policy pathway and have access to over 150 state examples of how other states are using these policy pathways to achieve their education and workforce development goals.
DOWNLOAD: State Guide for Preparing the Future Workforce Now
Projects
- Broadband
- Child and Family Well-Being
- Educate for Opportunity
- Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council
- Outdoor Recreation Learning Network
- Reforming Child Welfare Through A Three-Branch Approach
- Reskilling and Recovery Network
- Rural Prosperity Through the Arts & Creative Sector
- Scaling High-Quality Work-Based Learning
- State Energy Toolkit
- State Resilience Assessment And Planning Tool
- State Resource Center on Energy Security
- The States’ Role Higher Education Quality Assurance
- The States’ Role in National Defense
- Virtual Resource Center for Public Health Emergency Preparedness
- Workforce Innovation Network
- 2019-2020
Gov. Larry Hogan’s Initiative
Infrastructure: Foundation for Success - 2018-2018
Gov. Steve Bullock’s Initiative
Good Jobs for All Americans - 2017–2018
Gov. Brian Sandoval’s Initiative
Ahead of the Curve: Innovation Governors - View all…