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<br />15 ll-rNOV ATlVE PROGRAMS NAMED FINALISTS FOR PRESTIGIOUS AMERICAN GOVERN... Page 1 of3 <br /> <br />The. <br />Innovations <br />in American <br />Government <br />Awards <br />April 20, 2005 <br />3261 <br /> <br />1I.'"V"'lIl.~ <br />l'SI\'t.It!lo1 11 <br /> <br />I <br />I!EE JOHPi '_ll:tl'4.'lt~l' <br />= SC"'OOl. OJ GO"'UIoolMEfIl:'" <br />- <br />'- <br />i- <br /> <br />THE COUNCIL FOR <br /> <br />~~~ce, <br /> <br />IN GOVERNMENT <br /> <br />For Immediate Release <br /> <br />Contact: <br /> <br />Dan Paepke, 202-530- <br />dpaepke@excelgov,org <br /> <br />EIGHTEEN PIONEERING INITIATIVES RECOGNIZED FOR GOVERNMENT "OSCAR" <br />Best and Brightest From Public Sector Eligible for $100,000 Prize <br /> <br />(CAMBRIDGE, MA) -Eighteen government initiatives--ranging from a federal website to a city program that <br />engages young people in local public management--have been named finalists for the prestigious Innovations in <br />American Government Award, a program of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at <br />Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. The creative and forward thinking efforts are now eligible for <br />one of six $100,000 award prizes in what is often called the "Oscars" of government. <br /> <br />"These efforts represent the best and brightest in government innovations," said Gowher Rizvi, Director of the Ash <br />Institute. "Each takes a creative approach to a significant problem. It is our honor to shine a bright light on them and <br />to encourage other government entities to replicate them." <br /> <br />The eighteen finalists--selected from more than 1,000 applicants--are: <br /> <br />Adolescent Portable Therapy in New York City--a drug-treatment program for young people that addresses the <br />transient nature of the juvenile justice system. The "portable" therapy and staff follow teens as they move between <br />facilities and agencies to avoid a break in service delivery. <br /> <br />Advanced Language Program in Lexington, KY--combines classroom training and cultural immersion that gives <br />police the necessary skills to provide essential services to a rapidly growing Spanish speaking community. <br /> <br />Charter Agencies in the State of Iowa--redirects energy from bureaucratic requirements into innovation. The <br />agencies volunteer to be accountable for measurable customer benefits and contribute savings/revenues. In return, the <br />State exempts them from many bureaucratic requirements, <br /> <br />Corridor Housing Strategy in Minneapolis, MN--enlists neighborhood organizations to increase affordable housing <br />along major urban corridors. The initiative uses transit-oriented development principles to foster housing growth tied <br />to transportation and jobs. <br /> <br />Global Development Alliance at the U.S. Agency for International Development--combines the resources and <br />expertise of the public and private sectors to improve the lives of people in the developing world. The program links <br />U,S, foreign assistance with resources from business, non-governmental organizations and philanthropies for <br />international development and humanitarian activities. <br /> <br />Housing & Conservation Board in the State of Vermont--is a state supported funding agency that conserves <br />working farms and other naturallhistoric resources while supporting affordable housing and community development. <br /> <br />-more- <br /> <br />Innovations A wardlPage Two <br /> <br />http://www.ashinstitute,harvard.edulAshlpr_2005Cash.htrn <br /> <br />7/13/2005 <br />