Three federal programs named finalists for innovation awards

Federal programs addressing health care research, opportunities for small manufacturers and problems in the juvenile justice system are among the finalists for this year's prestigious Innovations in American Government awards.

The three federal efforts join 12 programs operated by state and local agencies as finalists in the awards program of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. The program is administered by the Council for Excellence in Government.

Each of the 15 finalists has now reached the final stage of competition for one of five awards, and each award carries a $100,000 prize. The finalists were chosen from among nearly 1,000 applicants. The winners will be named in July at the annual Excellence in Government conference. Government Executive sponsors the conference.

The federal finalists are:

• ClinicalTrials.gov, administered by the Health and Human Services Department, is a Web portal providing simple, straightforward information about clinical research involving human volunteers. "Facing a life-threatening disease is confusing as it is," said Patricia McGinnis, president of the Council for Excellence in Government. "Clinicaltrials.gov helps patients and families face very difficult health situations armed with the very best information."
• The Manufacturing Extension Partnership, administered by the Commerce Department, is designed to help small manufacturers compete with their larger counterparts. Under the program, Commerce has set up centers nationwide -- employing 2,000 people -- to provide technical assistance and support services to small manufacturers. The centers receive a third of their funding from the federal government, a third from state and local sources, and a third from charging for the services they provide.
• Performance Standards for Juvenile Corrections, administered by the Justice Department, collects and analyzes data from juvenile facilities on injuries, suicidal behavior, assaults, time in isolation and academic performance. The information is then made available to facilities. "One of the best things about the program is that it is easy for the facilities to use the technology on their own and monitor their own improvement," said Gowher Rizvi, director of the Ash Institute.

• CitiStat of Baltimore, which uses data from the city's 311 nonemergency number and other information to make regular improvements to the city's responsiveness and efficiency.
• Cooperative Care in Waushara County, Wis., which aims to provide fair pay and benefits for home care workers through a business they own and operate themselves.
• Curtailing Abuse Related to the Elderly, a Riverside, Calif.-based program educates senior citizens about consumer fraud.
• Five-Star Rated License, created by the state of North Carolina, provides specific information about child-care options.
• Homeless Court Program, in San Diego County, Calif., helps homeless defendants charged with misdemeanor offenses.
• Innovative Business Credit Pass-Through, created by the state of Oregon, gives businesses a tax credit for offering financial support to nonprofit organizations and public entities involved in energy conservation projects.
• Life Learning Academy, created by the San Francisco Unified School District, uses a combination of academic courses and hands-on projects to serve students who are in the juvenile justice system or at risk of entering it.
• Natural Drainage Systems Program, designed by the city of Seattle, uses plants, trees and soil to replicate traditional pipes and vaults to purify storm water runoff.
• Neighborhood Knowledge Partnerships consists of two Web sites created by UCLA to provide resources to people with disabilities and to help neighborhoods identify deteriorating properties.
• Project Resolve for Special Education, created by the state of Iowa, provides reduced rate legal services to parents involved in disputes with public schools over special education services for their children.
• Resolve to Stop the Violence Program in San Francisco puts offenders in a program designed to change attitudes, beliefs and behaviors.
• Youth Civic Engagement, in Hampton Va., places young people on advisory boards throughout the city, preparing them to assume the reins of government.