Five federal programs were named finalists Wednesday in one of the most prestigious award programs dedicated to public service.
The finalists in the Innovations in American Government Awards, administered by Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Ford Foundation, are eligible for one of ten $100,000 awards given for original and effective government programs, and win a $20,000 Ford Foundation grant. The Ford grant is intended to help replicate the program in other areas.
The Innovations in American Government awards are widely recognized as among the most prestigious public service awards in the country.
This year, more than 1,300 applicants from federal, state, county and city governments, school districts, tribal governments and government corporations vied for the top honors. The 10 winning programs will be honored on October 12.
The Office of Personnel Management made it into the final round for its work in privatizing the OPM Office of Investigations into the US Investigations Service (USIS), the first federal agency privatized as an employee-owned firm.
EPA's Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Program was recognized for its work in revitalizing contaminated properties and stimulating growth and development in depressed areas.
At the Housing and Urban Development Department, HOPE VI, a program designed to renew public housing, was selected for pursuing similar goals. HOPE VI funds help demolish bleak inner city projects and replace them with attractive townhouses and garden-style apartments. The program also provides job training for residents.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was named a finalist for its innovative use of technology to apply safety and health regulations to specific workplaces. OSHA's Interactive Expert Advisors Software Program helps business owners understand complicated OSHA regulations.
Safety and health are also a primary concern at the Veterans Health Administration. There, the National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) moved into the winners circle for its approach to preventing medical errors. NCPS uses a systematic approach to preventing medical errors and developing a culture of safety at VHA's 172 medical centers.
For more information, see the Innovations Awards Web site at: http://ksgwww.harvard.edu/innovat/