Printer Friendly Format Email a Friend


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 150-09
April 1, 2009

STATEMENT BY MAYOR BLOOMBERG ON NEW YORK CITY RECEIVING EIGHT NOMINATIONS FOR THE INNOVATIONS IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AWARDS FROM THE JOHN F. KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY

City Government Received Eight of the Top 50 Nominations - More than any Other State or City in the Country

“We’ve been successful over the last seven years by challenging conventional wisdom and always searching for new approaches to tackle difficult issues and improve City government.  We are extremely proud that City programs comprise eight of the top 50 innovations, more than any other city or state. The nominations show that New York City is at the forefront of using innovation to change the way we confront some of our biggest challenges including climate change, poverty, homelessness, financial empowerment, children’s services and using transparency to keep government accountable to the people it serves.”

The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University announced the 2009 Top 50 Government Innovations competing for the Innovations in American Government Awards. Representing the work of city, county, state, federal, and tribal government agencies, the Top 50 were selected from over 600 applicants. Six Innovations in American Government Award winners will be announced in September.

            The following New York City initiatives were nominated by the Ash Institute:

PlaNYC: A Greener, Greater New York, Mayor’s Office of Operations

  • A comprehensive strategy to address environmental challenges, including air quality, climate change, and the sustainable use of land, water, and energy.

Citywide Performance Reporting Online System, Mayor’s Office of Operations

  • An interactive dashboard for user-friendly access to New York City’s government performance data. This program gives agencies and citizens online access to critical measures with automatic trend evaluation.

Center for Economic Opportunity, Mayor’s Office

  • The Center implements innovative anti-poverty initiatives, analyzes their outcomes, and makes funding decisions based on program performance.

Earned Income Tax Credit Mailing, Department of Finance

  • Using data from federal tax returns, the Earned Income Tax Credit Mailing program identifies New York City residents eligible for prior Earned Income Tax Credits, and then completes and mails amended tax returns so that citizens can claim their credits.

HomeBase Partnership, Department of Homeless Services

  • A partnership with multiple non-profit service providers, Homebase combines flexible services and comprehensive data tools to prevent homelessness and help at-risk families find immediate alternatives to shelter.

Improved Outcomes for Children, Administration for Children’s Services

  • Reforms to the child welfare system using innovative accountability measures, family-centered decision making, and flexible financing to improve key outcomes for New York City’s children in foster care and families receiving preventive services.

Office of Financial Empowerment, Mayor’s Office

  • The first local government initiative in the nation aimed at educating, empowering, and protecting those with lower incomes to strengthen their financial well-being.

Officers Management Institute, Fire Department

  • Provides chiefs of fire and emergency medical services with leadership and management training.

For more information on the Innovations in American Government Awards from the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University please visit http://ashinstitute.harvard.edu.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser / Marc La Vorgna   (212) 788-2958

Kate Hoagland (Harvard Ash Institute)   (617) 495-4347




More Resources