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
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 growth, and 2025 was no exception. This year, states and ...
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 advisors representing 28 states and territories in Santa Fe, New ...
State of the State – 2026
Governors of America's Commonwealths, States and Territories will soon be outlining their priorities for 2026. To showcase their leadership and priorities for the year ahead, the National Governors Association will ...
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
State Efforts to Promote Reading and Literary Activities in Communities
Policies and programs that support reading can help create a culture of reading and community action. By promoting literary reading, ...
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Update 2005: States Make Modest Expansions to Health Care Coverage
Medicaid continues to be the nation’s largest health insurance program for low-income people. This report examines some of the policies ...
MCH Update: States Protect Health Care Coverage During Recent Fiscal Downturn
Medicaid is the nation’s largest health insurance program for low-income persons. The data in this report show state efforts around ...
MCH Update 2002: State Health Coverage for Low-Income Pregnant Women, Children, and Parents
Since 1990, the NGA Center has reported on the status of state Medicaid coverage of children and pregnant women and ...
MCH Update 2001: Trends in State Health Insurance Coverage of Pregnant Women, Children, and Parents
Since 1990, the NGA Center has reported on the status of state Medicaid coverage of children and pregnant women and ...
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Update: States Have Expanded Eligibility and Increased Access to Health Care for Pregnant Women and Children
In January 2001, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) announced that more than 3.3 million previously uninsured children now have ...
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…