Ash Institute at Harvard University honors six government programs.

The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University announced the 2009 winners of the Innovations in American Government Awards. This year's award winners demonstrate unique solutions to pressing issues including economic development, education, mental health, health insurance, government transparency, and water scarcity. These initiatives will receive grants toward sharing such innovative practices around the country.

The Higher Education Initiative of Kingsport, Tennessee, has revitalized a formerly depressed rustbelt region by improving residents' academic outcomes and adapting curricula to meet the workforce needs of the medical technology, health care, and information technology industries now moving to the area.

The Chicago Public School District's New Leaders for New Schools program also emphasizes academic achievement and high-caliber principals to lead underserved and underperforming urban schools. The program reports improved proficiency scores and higher high school graduation rates.

Wraparound Milwaukee addresses the gaps in support for underserved youth. The program--the country's first government-operated managed care program for emotionally disturbed young people--provides individualized treatments that allow youth to stay at home with their families instead of in residential institutions.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Connector Authority of Massachusetts increases access to health insurance for all Massachusetts citizens, a central mandate of the state's health reform law of 2006. The state's innovation is a key focus of the national health-care debate as the country explores ways to expand access and reduce costs to health care.

The state of Idaho's Mapping Evapotranspiration program enhances the understanding of agricultural water usage in the state through the development of satellite technology, This information is integral to settling water demand conflicts and preserving wildlife habitats.

The District of Columbia's Data Feeds: Democratization of Government Data is the first government initiative in the country to make virtually all current city government data available in real time, online, and in its raw form. The program reports increased civic awareness and improved government accountability.

Chosen from an initial pool of nearly 700 applicants, the 2009 Innovations winners were chosen based on novelty (the degree to which the program demonstrates a leap of creativity), significance (the degree to which the program successfully addresses an important problem of public concern), effectiveness (the degree to which the program has achieved tangible results), and transferability (the degree to which the program, or aspects of it, shows promise of inspiring successful replication by other governmental entities).