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.
Latest

Supporting Successful Workforce Reentry for Justice-Involved Individuals
As Governors continue to address workforce shortages in nearly every sector of the economy, state workforce development policymakers and their private sector partners remain focused on increasing labor force participation ...
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State of the State – 2023
Governors of states, territories and commonwealths are outlining their priorities for 2023 in state of the state or commonwealth addresses, as well as inaugural addresses for new and re-elected Governors ...
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Hydrogen as an Energy Source
This brief is intended as a short introduction to hydrogen as an energy source. It will briefly discuss the various types of hydrogen and a variety of hydrogen use-cases that ...
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Governors Tout Bold Investments in Workforce Development During 2023 State of the State Addresses
A vast majority of Governors spent time during their State of the State addresses outlining their strategy for navigating 2023’s tight labor market, and bold investments in workforce development programs ...
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STRENGTHENING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
The United States faces a nationwide youth mental health crisis. The roots of this crisis existed before COVID-19, but the pandemic has both exacerbated and highlighted the scope of the challenges in addressing this issue. The time is right and the need has never been more apparent to discuss proven and innovative solutions for states.
Governor Phil Murphy’s 2022-2023 Chair’s Initiative will focus on four key pillars to address youth mental health:
- Addressing Prevention And Resilience Building
- Increasing Awareness And Reducing Stigma
- Insuring Access And Affordability Of Quality Treatment And Care
- Training And Supporting Caregivers And Teachers
Program Areas
Center for Best Practices Library

Maternal and Child Health Update 2008
This issue brief highlights recent state trends in health care coverage for women and children through Medicaid and CHIP, gathered ...
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Policy Strategies for Advancing Interstate Health Information Exchange: A Report to the State Alliance for e-Health
Variations among states' laws, and differences between states' laws and federal law, are one of the most significant obstacles to ...
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Shaping a Healthier Generation: Successful State Strategies to Prevent Childhood Obesity
The NGA Center convened the Shaping a Healthier Generation Advisory Council in response to the need for innovative and actionable ...
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Preparing to Implement HITECH: A State Guide for Electronic Health Information Exchange
The HITECH Act, enacted as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, expands the role of states in ...
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State Employee Health Management Initiatives
With a workforce increasingly susceptible to chronic diseases, states are addressing the various conditions that account for more than 75 ...
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NGA Center Influenza Resources
Preparing for a Pandemic Influenza: A Primer for Governors and Senior State Officials Sustaining the State Workforce: Strategies for Effective ...
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Small Business Initiatives for Health Coverage and Disease Prevention
Small businesses create a majority of new jobs in the country and make significant contributions to the nation’s economic viability ...
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Arts & the Economy: Using Arts and Culture to Stimulate State Economic Development
Through the creative industries, states have an opportunity to create jobs, attract investments, generate tax revenues, and stimulate local economies ...
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Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Update: States Increase Eligibility for Children’s Health in 2007
Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) provide a critical source of health insurance coverage to low-income pregnant ...
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Promoting Film and Media to Enhance State Economic Development
Film and media arts can play a key role in state economic development. As economic impact studies continue to demonstrate ...
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State Efforts to Expand Broadband Access
This Issue Brief reviews state efforts to expand broadband access by offering examples of implementation strategies. In addition, we highlight ...
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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, ...
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- 2021-2022
Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Initiative
K-12 Computer Science Education - 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…