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 Prioritizing Postsecondary Strategies: Multiple Pathways Highlighted in 2025 State and Territory Addresses
Governors across the country made clear that postsecondary education remains central to their policy agendas in their 2025 State and Territory addresses—including State of the State, Inaugural, and Budget speeches ...
Membership Monthly – April 2025
Updates from the NGA Membership Team for April 2025. For more about the programs below and a list of upcoming events please email NGA at: membership@nga.org. ABOVE: Virginia Governor Glenn ...
Workforce Investments for A Robust Health Ecosystem
To help commemorate National Public Health Week 2025, this publication is part of an NGA series that explores policies, programs and considerations to improve population health. Addressing health needs through ...
Let’s Get Ready
All Americans should have access to education that prepares them for success in life. As the world changes and technology evolves, ensuring all students graduate with the skills and knowledge necessary for success is increasingly critical for our nation’s economic competitiveness.
As Governors, we lead states facing economic opportunities but also challenges, shortages in workforce, skills mismatch, and widening opportunity gaps that limit true economic mobility for Americans. We must take these indicators as a call to action.
Program Areas
Center for Best Practices Library
State Strategies to Transition Dislocated and Incumbent Workers into High-Demand Industries
(View/Download) Background While disruptions caused by COVID-19 have led to unprecedented increases in unemployment, some industries are now experiencing regional ...
Building an Adult-Friendly Postsecondary Policy Framework
During the webinar, state leaders from the Parents and Children Thriving Together: Two-Generation State Policy Network (PACTT Network) shared how ...
Child Care Reopening and Recovery
(View/Download) Introduction As states and governors continue working to flatten the curve, plans have been developed and finalized in many ...
Solutions for Rural Economies in Response to COVID-19
Summary Times of crisis often exacerbate the economic challenges faced by rural communities. Following the Great Recession, for example, unemployment ...
K-12 to Postsecondary Transitions During COVID-19: Opportunities for Governors and States
Background During this time of unprecedented educational and economic disruption, governors and state leaders can take steps to ensure equitable ...
Addressing Child Abuse Reporting and Supporting Child Well-Being During COVID-19
Background Many governors have noted widespread concern about reduced reporting of child abuse and neglect during stay-at-home orders related to ...
Delivering Workforce System Employment and Training Services Remotely
Summary Across the United States, American Job Centers (AJCs) provide a range of assistance to jobseekers, students, and businesses. Due ...
State Commerce/Economic Development Actions & Initiatives For COVID-19
Summary This resource details the work that governors and state officials in economic development organizations have done in the wake ...
Economic Recovery Planning & Resources to Support Businesses and Local Communities
Businesses and economies across the world are feeling the impact of COVID-19. Despite having a robust economy just over a ...
Overview of Section 1135 and Section 1115 Waivers
On March 13, President Trump issued an emergency declaration under both the National Emergencies Act and the Robert T. Stafford ...
Adjustments to Work-Based Learning in Response to COVID-19
Education and training programs across the country have been interrupted as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Work-based learning programs ...
Summer Camps and Summer Learning Opportunities
As states shift their focus from the immediate emergency of COVID-19 school closures toward the reopening of schools and educational ...
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