Harvard announces bright ideas in government.

• Position: News & Numbers

The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, recognized 36 government initiatives as Bright Ideas recipients. These programs address issues including health care, education, performance management, civic engagement, and service delivery, and represent the creative and innovative programming of school districts, county, city, state, and federal agencies, as well as public-private partnerships. The programs were selected by an evaluation team of policy experts comprising academics and practitioners.

Many of the recognized Bright Ideas offer unique solutions to delivering quality health care and education to underserved populations. Washington, D.C.'s Automatic HIV Counseling/ Testing Program provides early HIV/ AIDS assessment options to district residents, and the Healthy Indiana Plan gives the state's low-income uninsured adults an alternative care option to Medicaid. Philadelphia's Project U-Turn is dedicated to increasing school graduation rates through a collective public-private partnership of concerned leaders, while Denver Public School District's Professional Compensation System is meeting the same goal by rewarding teachers for student academic achievements.

Other Bright Ideas demonstrate the value of partnership among non-profit, public, and private sectors in improving the lives of citizens. New York City's Bryant Park Corporation is beautifying and improving the upkeep of city parks by working together with the New York Public Library, city government, and a...