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
Empowerment Through Adult Literacy: Policy Pathways for Governors
Adult literacy programs and partnerships provide foundational skills that lead to increased employment opportunities, improved physical and mental health outcomes, and financial stability for families and communities. The National Governors ...
Of the Youth, For the Youth, By the Youth: A Governor’s Guide for Incorporating Youth Voice into Policymaking
As states and territories across the country work to address the challenges that many youth face related to their mental health and wellbeing, Governors can engage youth themselves to drive ...
2025 GHSAC Winter Meting
The Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC) met April 15-17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The GHSAC regularly brings together Governors’ homeland security advisors from states, commonwealths, territories and the District ...
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
Empowerment Through Adult Literacy: Policy Pathways for Governors
Adult literacy programs and partnerships provide foundational skills that lead to increased employment opportunities, improved physical and mental health outcomes, ...
Of the Youth, For the Youth, By the Youth: A Governor’s Guide for Incorporating Youth Voice into Policymaking
As states and territories across the country work to address the challenges that many youth face related to their mental ...
2025 GHSAC Winter Meting
The Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC) met April 15-17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The GHSAC regularly brings together Governors’ ...
Let’s Get Ready to Improve the Value of Education
How can we reshape the education system to promote economic mobility? How should we assess the value of a diploma? ...
Policy Academy to Strengthen SNAP Employment & Training Delivery
In 2024 the NGA Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), in partnership with Third Sector Capital Partners (Third Sector), launched ...
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 ...
PAST NGA CHAIRS INITIATIVES
- 2023-2024
Gov. Spencer Cox’s Initiative
Disagree Better - 2022-2023
Gov. Phil Murphy’s Initiative
Strengthening Youth Mental Health - 2021-2022
Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Initiative
K-12 Computer Science Education - View all…