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
Fentanyl Awareness Day 2025
Tuesday, April 29th marks the 4th annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day. This is a day of reflection and remembrance of ...
Governors Advancing Workforce Development – April 2025
From classrooms to careers, workforce development is a top priority for Governors who know that a strong economy starts with ...
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 ...
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 ...
Governors Growing Entrepreneurship
This brief highlights four key opportunities for Governors to advance policy that supports entrepreneurship, along with four state examples that ...
Increasing Primary Care Access to Improve Population Health
To help commemorate National Public Health Week 2025, this publication is part of a series that explores policies, programs and ...
Community Resilience & Mental Health
To help commemorate National Public Health Week 2025, this publication is part of a NGA series that explores policies, programs ...
State and Territorial Workforce Development Successes
State and territory workforce development programs are crucial for addressing local labor market needs by providing training and education that ...
Food is Medicine: Making Nutritious Food Accessible to All
To help commemorate National Public Health Week 2025, this publication is part of a series that explores policies, programs and ...
Driving Public Sector Innovation Through Skills-Based Hiring
State governments across the nation are leading a transformation in talent management, shifting toward a more skills-focused approach, which prioritizes ...
Nuclear Energy In-State Retreats, Technical Assistance, and Action Planning
States and Territories are at a variety of stages of development in their nuclear policy, with some states having robust ...
Education Themes in 2025 State of the State Addresses
As Governors across the country have taken the podium to deliver their 2025 State of the State addresses, they have ...
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…