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
Transmission Summit Readout
On October 9, 2025, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) hosted a States Transmission Summit coinciding ...
Policy Academy to Advance Data Dashboards Measuring Student & System Success
This project will support 6–8 states and/or territories in advancing their Governor’s vision for education through a dashboard of metrics ...
Safeguarding States: Governors Mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is observed each October as a national effort to promote cybersecurity awareness and encourage individual Americans as ...
Key Takeaways: SNAP Quality Control Continuum Briefing
On October 10, NGA hosted a call on the SNAP Quality Control Continuum as part of its SNAP 101 series to ...
Governors Revamp Workforce System Governance to Strengthen Coordination and Outcomes
As the labor market begins to shift and federal workforce development priorities evolve, Governors are transforming the way they operate ...
Governors Focus on Distraction-Free Learning
“The research is clear, cellphone use can create a trifecta of consequences for our young people – mental health issues, ...
Leveraging the Rural Health Transformation Program to Improve Behavioral Health Outcomes
Physical and mental well-being are closely intertwined, and both are essential for people to lead their healthiest and most productive ...
EV Workforce Myth-Busting
(Download) By 2028, U.S. electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are projected to produce approximately 4.7 million EVs annually. This growth will ...
NGA Hosts 4th Broadband Leaders Workshop
June 9-11, 2025, NGA hosted its fourth Annual Broadband Leaders Workshop in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Over 65 broadband leaders from ...
Governors Working for the Workforce
Workforce Development Month is a nationwide celebration recognizing the vital role workforce development plays in helping Americans build the skills ...
Governor’s Leading Innovative Skills First Networks
Over the past two years, governors in more than thirty states have taken intentional steps to expand access to economic ...
Preparedness Starts at Home
National Preparedness Month is observed every September to promote disaster and emergency readiness among individuals, families and communities. Each year, ...
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…