Innovations in American Government

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$1 Million in Grants by Ford Foundation for Innovative Government Programs

Chicago Trains Youth in Arts—Arkansas Succeeds with Medicaid—Boston Stops Teen Deaths by Handguns—FDA Speeds Drug Approvals—Among Ten Outstanding Programs Recognized in American Government Competition

The Ford Foundation announced today that it is granting $100,000 each to ten government programs chosen as the most innovative in government for 1997. The programs stand out as the "best in government" after a rigorous selection process that culminated yesterday in a competition among 25 finalists held in Washington, D.C. by Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. The $1 million in grants will enable these innovative programs to share lessons learned with other government agencies—at all levels—in such areas as criminal justice, education, health care, the environment, and transportation.

"The Ford Foundation gives $1 million each year to the ten government programs that set a standard for excellence in government," said Susan Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation. "The American people need to know that their government agencies are developing an incredible track record for tackling some of our toughest problems."

The ten winners of the 1997 Innovations in American Government Awards— including eight state and local programs, and two federal programs—were distinguished by their collaboration with public- and private-sector partners, their use of new technologies, and an innovative approach to problem-solving. The winners are Arkansas' "ConnectCare"; Boston's "Operation Cease Fire"; Chicago's "Gallery 37"; Georgia's "Pathways to Teaching" and "Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten"; Kentucky's "Recruiting Public Education for Results"; North Carolina's "Structured Sentencing"; Pennsylvania's "Land Recycling"; the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's "Reform of the U.S. Drug Approval Process"; and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service's "TeleFile" program. A list with brief descriptions follows.

The winning programs were chosen by the national selection committee of the Ford Foundation's Innovations in American Government Awards program. This selection committee of public policy experts and former public officials is chaired by David Gergen, editor-at-large ofU.S. News & World Report, and includes former Congressman Tom Downey, former League of Women Voters president Dorothy Ridings, former Gary, Indiana mayor Richard Hatcher, and Jack Rosenthal, editor ofThe New York Times Magazine.

The competition among the 25 finalists was the final step in a highly competitive process. More than 1,540 initial applications were evaluated according to originality of approach, value of services, effectiveness, and potential for replication in other jurisdictions. After the 25 finalists were chosen, experts in each program's field conducted site visits to analyze effectiveness.

"These programs demonstrate that government can and does work," said Gergen. "The same forces that have improved productivity and profitability in the private sector are being used effectively to improve government. It is important that we recognize when government succeeds."

The Innovations in American Government program searches each year for the top innovative government programs. Since its inception in 1986, more than 85 percent of the winning programs have been replicated by other government agencies.

"This year's selection process was extremely competitive," said Alan Altshuler, director of the Innovations program at the Kennedy School. "It has been thrilling to learn of so many remarkable public initiatives, though this has made the task of selecting just ten difficult indeed."

The Ford Foundation's Innovations in American Government Awards is administered by Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government. Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government is a graduate school of public policy dedicated to preparing leaders for service in government and other institutions of democratic societies and contributing to the solution of important public problems.

The Council for Excellence in Government is a national, non-profit and nonpartisan organization whose 750 members have served as senior public-sector officials. Its mission is to improve the performance of government by strengthening results-oriented management and creative leadership in the public sector and to build understanding in government by focusing public discussion on its role and responsibilities.

For more information, please call 202-467-6600 or visit our Web site atwww.ksg.harvard.edu/innovations/.

The 1997 Innovations in American Government Awards Winners

Kentucky's "Recreating Public Education for Results" enhances children's learning by restructuring curriculum, finance, and governance systems.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration's "Reform of the U.S. Drug Approval Process" speeds drug approvals while maintaining rigorous safety standards.

Arkansas' "Connectcare" recruits physicians, cuts costs, and improves regular medical care for Medicaid recipients.

Boston's "Operation Cease Fire" has virtually eliminated teenage deaths by handguns in the city for two years.

U.S. Internal Revenue Service's "TeleFile" allows citizens to file simple returns by telephone.

North Carolina's "Structured Sentencing" ensures consistent sentencing and distinguishes prison terms for violent and non-violent offenders.

Georgia's "Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten" provides free preschool to all four-year olds.

Pennsylvania's "Land Recycling" works with businesses to prepare contaminated sites for commercial use.

Chicago's "Gallery 37" prepares youth for future workplace success through training in the arts.

Georgia's "Pathways to Teaching" recruits and trains minority school employees to become teachers.

The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than half a century it has worked with courageous people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

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