Innovations in American Government Awards Finalists Trumpet Successes Before National Selection Committee

CAMBRIDGE, MA – Representatives from each of the 15 programs selected as finalists in the 2008 Innovations in American Government Awards presented their cases before the National Selection Committee at Harvard Kennedy School on June 12th. The finalists, chosen from a pool of approximately 1,000 applicants, are considered some of the most unique and effective city, state and federal government programs in a wide range of program areas -- from education and health care to affordable housing and youth services.

The 15 finalists were: the Fresh Food Financing Initiative, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Project Zero, city of New York; the Intelligence Community Civilian Joint Duty Program, U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence; the Learn and Earn Initiative, state of North Carolina; the Global Maritime Domain Awareness, U.S. Department of Transportation; the Young Leadership Advisory Team, state of Maine; Getting Ready: Keeping Communities Safe, state of Arizona; Teacher Residency, Boston Public School District; Division of Youth Services, state of Missouri; the Acquisition Fund, city of New York; the Welcome Back Center, state of California; ACCESS Plus, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Knowledge Management, Commonwealth of Virginia; MassDocs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and Solid Waste and Energy Management, Yukon River Tribes.

“We are pleased to recognize these model initiatives of governments that are making a tangible difference in the lives of our citizens,” said Stephen Goldsmith, director of the Awards Program. “By highlighting these inspiring programs, we hope to foster the replication of such innovations nationwide.”

The National Selection Committee was comprised of several highly-respected current and former public officials, including Ron Kirk, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee; Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former lieutenant governor, state of Maryland; and Anthony Williams, former mayor of Washington D.C. and Harvard Kennedy School alumni. The Committee was chaired by David Gergen, director of the Center for Public leadership and professor of public service at Harvard Kennedy School. He admitted it would “be a very tough decision” to select the winners.

Six winners will be announced in September 2008, each one receiving $100,000 “toward the replication and dissemination of its innovation.” Established in 1985 at Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation by the Ford Foundation, the Innovations in American Government Awards Program has honored 181 federal, state, and local government agencies over its 20 year history. The Program provides concrete evidence that government can work to improve the quality of life of citizens.