Innovations in American Government Awards

March 16, 2005

FIFTY OF GOVERNMENT'S BEST & BRIGHTEST CITED FOR HARVARD AWARD

(Onondaga County, NY)

Parents Success Initiative of Onondaga County recruits non-custodial parents to help them further their education, work, pay child support and taxes and become more involved in the community. It has raised more than $1.8 million in new child support collections. 

Association For Better Living, Inc. has been an active agency within the Parents Success Initiative since it’s inception. As one of the larger sites Association For Better Living, Inc. had a tremendous impact on the lives of many non-custodial parents and their children.  Currently the Association For Better Living, Inc. participates in the Parent Success Initiative as a review and planning participant. With the difficulties in funding this innovative funding design is a true statement of collaboration of County Government, Not for Profit Agencies and the People we all serve!

Innovations in American Government Awards

(WASHINGTON D.C.) Fifty of the most creative, forward thinking, results-driven government programs at the federal, state, county and city levels were named semifinalists today for the prestigious Innovations in American Government Awards. Often referred to as the "Oscars" of government prizes. The fifty programs are now eligible to win one of six $100,000 grants.

The programs represent the nation's very best public sector efforts in the areas of education and training, criminal justice and public safety, economic and community development, health and social service, management, transportation, public works and environment. The programs were chosen from a pool of more than 1000 applicants for their novelty and uniqueness, effectiveness in addressing important problems, significance, and the potential for replication by other government entities.

"These fifty programs-which touch the lives of so many people across the street and around the world-offer a very compelling snapshot of what is right, good and uniquely innovative in American government at every level today," said Stephen Goldsmith, Director of the Innovations in American Government Awards, when releasing the top 50 list. "Each deserves special recognition, not just by citizens, but also by other government leaders and practitioners who should be inspired by the program's blend of creativity and effectiveness," added Gowher Rizvi, Director, Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation, which sponsors the Innovations in American Government Awards Program.

Eighteen finalists will be chosen from the fifty and announced in April. The Innovations in American Government National Selection Committee, chaired by David R. Gergen of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard and including former Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former San Diego Mayor Susan Golding, and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives William Clinger will choose six winning programs, which will be announced on July 27, 2005.

The Innovations in American Government Awards program, now in its 18th year, is a program of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, administered in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government.

Link to view the other 49 programs