Innovations in American Government Awards Series In 2006, the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) was pleased to collaborate with the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University for a series of luncheon forums in New York City. The forums featured government initiatives recognized with the Ash Institute’s Innovations in American Government Award and special Fannie Mae Foundation Innovations in American Government in Affordable Housing Award. These forums explored the policy areas winning organizations have addressed — from performance management to chronic homelessness — and discussed the lessons others can learn from their models. The Innovations in American Government Awards Program identifies and promotes creative and measurably effective government programs. Stephen Goldsmith, Center for Civic Innovation Advisory Board Chairman Emeritus, serves as the director of the Innovations in American Government Awards Program. * * * The determination to make government a force for good and a force for change, and the range of problems tackled by each of these initiatives, should renew our confidence in the quality and commitment of our public servants. By shining a bright light on these innovators, these awards help encourage others in government to follow their amazing lead. — Stephen Goldsmith For more information and a nomination form for 2008 Innovations in American Government Award, click here. Featured Initiatives   — Connecticut State Supportive Housing Pilots Initiative Supportive housing is a new approach used to combat chronic homelessness in more than 200 cities nationwide. Also known as “Housing First,” supportive housing combines housing with social and mental health services on the same site. At the State level, Connecticut developed its own supportive housing program, the Supportive Housing Pilots Initiative, which has created more than 400 households for formerly homeless individuals with mental health or addiction problems and their families. The Connecticut program was honored with the Fannie Mae Foundation Innovations in American Government Award in Affordable Housing, a joint effort between the Ash Institute and the Fannie Mae Foundation.     — Allegheny County State Forensic Support Services Program With as many as 700,000 prisoners released from U.S. correctional facilities in 2006, most states and municipalities are focusing on reducing recidivism. Some are collaborating with public and private organizations to connect ex-offenders with social services and job-training programs, while others are creating their own distinct reentry programs. The Allegheny County State Forensic Support Services Program has been successful in reducing recidivism rates among a particularly challenging group of ex-offenders: those with behavioral and mental health problems who have maxed out of their sentences and are not subject to parole. The rate of recidivism for program participants is just under 10 percent, roughly one-sixth the national rate.     — Los Angeles Systematic Code Enforcement Program While New York City struggles to respond to hundreds of thousands of violations, Los Angeles is the only city in the U.S. that proactively inspects every rental housing unit. The Los Angeles Housing Department’s Systematic Code Enforcement Program (SCEP) has overseen over 1.5 million habitability violations, leading to more than $1.3 billion dollars in reinvestment in the city’s rental housing stock by owners and landlords. Both tenants and landlords organizations are pleased with the program’s impact on their neighborhoods. The Los Angeles Systematic Code Enforcement Program is a recipient of the Fannie Mae Foundation Innovations in American Government Award in Affordable Housing.     — Iowa State Charter Agencies Program Through its unique Charter Agencies program, the State of Iowa is reforming government and streamlining services. Under this program, Iowa's governor increases agencies' management authority as they improve performance, results, and taxpayer savings. Jim Chrisinger of the Iowa Department of Management discusses this program and explains how other states can benefit from their revolutionary model. He explains that to overcome bureaucratic barriers and instill change, governments need courageous leadership and expert guidance; a framework that produces visible results; and increased public demand for accountability in government.