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
Telecom Infrastructure Vandalism and Public Safety Impacts
Vandalism of telecommunications networks is a growing problem, driven by theft of copper and fiber optic cables for scrap metal. More than 800 incidents are reported each month. That’s 27 ...
Strengthening Rural Maternal Mental Health
By the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health and NGA H.R. 1 created the Rural Health Transformation Program, offering states an opportunity to reimagine rural health care systems through a ...
Empowering every learner: What the US can learn from the Swiss about apprenticeships
The Swiss apprenticeship model is considered the world’s gold standard – credited with generating job opportunities for workers and ensuring a skilled workforce for employers. As part of his NGA ...
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
Rx For a Healthier America Policy Academy
Chronic disease is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a condition lasting longer than a ...
Let’s Get Ready to Close the Achievement Gaps for All Students
The conviction that every student can succeed is one of Let’s Get Ready’s core tenets. As achievement gaps between top-performing ...
Lessons Learned from the NGA Policy Academy to Drive Thriving Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing
This report expands upon findings from the Policy Academy to Drive Thriving Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing and provides guidance ...
How States Are Expanding Quality Summer Learning Opportunities
Dr. Julie Fitz from the Learning Policy Institute joins NGA to talk about how states are expanding quality summer learning ...
Food is Medicine: A Strategic Shift in State Health Policy
Across the country, Governors are driving a new phase of healthcare transformation—one that positions healthy food as a reimbursable, clinically ...
Let’s Get Ready for Improved Educational Outcomes
At NGA, we take best practices seriously, with dedicated teams who work with state policy leaders and other experts to ...
Strengthening Outbreak Response through Data, Forecasting and Analytics
Governors play an important role in improving infectious disease preparedness and response efforts at state and territory levels. This year’s ...
The State of Advanced Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy is having a moment. That was the consensus during a briefing the NGA Economic Development and Revitalization Task ...
Understanding Lapses in Learning
The following letter to editor, regarding “Have We Quit on Learning?,” originally appeared in the New York Times on May ...
State Government as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities: A Playbook for Governors
This playbook highlights six actionable strategies Governors can use to improve state government career paths for people with disabilities. (Download) ...
Governors are Supporting Older Adults and Driving Improved Population Health
The number of older adults in the U.S. is growing at a faster rate than any other age group and ...
State Strategies for School-Based Mental Health Services
As part of the 2024 Policy Academy to Drive Thriving Youth Mental Health, the National Governors Association supported the development ...
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…