Government That Works: Innovation in State and Local Government

Governments at all levels in the United States are rocked by budget shortfalls, lack of direction, unprecedented public frustration and anger. A few state and local governments are developing innovative and effective solutions that confront complex policy issues from radically new angles, often at minimal or no cost to the taxpayers. Presented here are 25 programs dealing with some of the most vexing dilemmas facing government: education, health care, drug abuse, the environment, housing, and economic development. The profiles are written not only from the perspective of the program administrators but also the people who benefit from them. Each of the five sections opens with a brief overview of the issues, identifying problems and key issues. A summary chapter examines such issues as program management, content, organization, and funding. Programs were selected from among those described in applications for Ford Foundation Innovation Awards from 1986 to 1992.

"interesting" -- City Hall Digest

"profiles 25 state and local programs in the areas of education, health care, drug abuse, environmental management, housing and economic development" -- Governing

"timely, accessible...goes beyond descriptions of successful specific programs to analyze their essential elements and the key lessons they offer for creative approaches.... An encouraging overview of programs that work" -- Booklist/RBB