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
2026 Governors’ Health and Human Services Policy Advisors Institute
Health and human services policy advisors from states and territories across the country gathered in New Orleans for NGA’s annual HHS Policy Advisors Institute. Over one and a half days, ...
Staff Talks: Appointments to Boards and Commissions
The National Governors Association (NGA) regularly convenes members of governors’ staff from across the country to share best practices, exchange insights and learn from one another’s experiences on issues relevant to state government operations. On June 11, NGA ...
2026 Governors’ Education Policy Advisors Institute
The National Governors Association convened its annual Governors' Education Policy Advisors Institute (GEPA) in New Orleans from May 27-29, 2026, bringing together 34 leaders from 21 states and territories. Over ...
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
Short and Long Term Strategies to Address Water Utility Revenue Losses From COVID-19
Drinking water utilities are expected to lose $13.9 billion in the next year due COVID-19 according to the American Water ...
Roadmap to Recovery
A Public Health Guide for Governors (View/Download) Executive Summary The global pandemic of COVID-19 poses an unprecedented challenge to the ...
Addressing College Students’ Basic Needs: Housing and Food Insecurity
During the webinar, state leaders from the Parents and Children Thriving Together: Two-Generation State Policy Network (PACTT Network) shared how ...
Steps to Address Food and Financial Insecurity for Individuals and Families in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
This memo looks at what system level changes governors are making to address food and financial insecurity, including support for ...
Operational Coordination for COVID-19 Response and Recovery
As the COVID-19 pandemic grows in scale and complexity, so does the number of state, federal, local, nonprofit, and private ...
The Additive Manufacturing Response to COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts global supply chains and manufacturing operations, the medical community faces a critical shortage of certain ...
Governor Actions to Address PPE and Ventilator Shortages
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in global demand for critical personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical equipment, ...
Gubernatorial Considerations for Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Implementation
Pandemics, emergencies, and other catastrophic events require governors and state and territory leaders to consider how they will continue to ...
Flexibilities Under CCDBG/CCDF, CARES Act Supports for Small Businesses and Child Care
During the webinar, state leaders from the Parents and Children Thriving Together: Two-Generation State Policy Network (PACTT Network) shared how ...
Early Release from Incarceration in Response to COVID-19
Correctional institutions are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreaks. As part of state and local COVID-19 response efforts, officials are taking ...
Implementing Effective Social Distancing Policies to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19
As COVID-19 is rapidly spreading throughout communities in the United States, policies promoting social distancing have been a critical strategy ...
Gubernatorial Strategies for Health Care Workforce and Facility Capacity
COVID-19 is posing a serious threat to the nation’s health care workforce. As cases continue to rise, there will be ...
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…