http://www.innovations.harvard.edu This dynamic portal produced by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government brings you timely examples of government innovation. Here you will find news and features, and opportunities to connect with practitioners and policy makers like yourself. en-us Copyright 2008, Government Innovators Network 2008-05-15T01:08-04:00 info@innovations.harvard.edu http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/98501.html HARRISBURG, Pa., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Thousands of college transfer students from across Pennsylvania will benefit from a new, statewide system this fall that is designed to maximize the number of credits they can transfer and count toward a college degree. "Pursuit of a college degree has grown more common in recent decades, but also more complicated because of the nature ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/98281.html In an old Bethlehem neighborhood, mature linden trees cast a cool shadow on the slate-roofed houses and frame the streets with a leafy canopy. A picturesque image to be sure, but the foliage haunts Bethlehem's new urban forester, Cindy Smith. Hidden by the leaves of the healthy linden trees, a tall leafless one stands dead — probably strangled by its own roots. If left to nature, the ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/97911.html May 11—CTA bus-only lanes will be built on portions of 79th Street, Chicago Avenue, Halsted Street and Jeffery Boulevard as part of the plan to speed up public transportation and entice commuters from their cars. In addition, officials said Friday that transit stations will be built at key points along the bus lines, all set up so passengers can pre-pay fares before quickly boarding new hybrid ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/98261.html Mothers and fathers, do you know where your children are? For most good parents the answers is an indignant yes, but if your children are on the Internet, do you really know where they are? A new program called I-Shield is being offered by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office is designed to address that question, with safety information available for both parents and students. "No one can justify ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/97891.html May 10—The Virginia Department of Education will start a new program this fall to identify students with learning disabilities. "We are concerned that a lot of young people, especially those with reading difficulties, end up in special education when we know lots of reading problems can be remedied within the general education environment," said H. Douglas Cox, assistant superintendent in ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/97561.html By Kristin Bender BERKELEY — Before he joined the Youth Spirit Artworks program, Charles Hutson admits that he was getting into all kinds of trouble. The 16-year-old recently completed painting a green and black "Incredible Hulk'' chair that he sold for $285. He's working on another one with the nonprofit organization Youth Spirit Artworks, and he's learning about business and social change. http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/97541.html Nine million men and women are jailed each year, many more than once. In an average three-week period, local jails have contact with as many people as state and federal prisons do in an entire year. Despite limited resources and a churning population of inmates beset by numerous problems, the nation's 3,365 jails can do more to prevent crime by partnering with community organizations to ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/98111.html The Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: The Department of Natural Resources today announced a new program this camping season that will offer campers the opportunity to save on fuel costs by temporarily storing their camping trailer or recreational vehicle at specified state parks or recreation areas in-between their camping stays. Storage of the camping ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/97861.html This week, the York Land Trust's Hilton-Winn property became a classroom for the fifth-graders at York Middle School -Êa living laboratory designed to teach them about the value of nature and being outdoors. The students searched for signs to identify vernal pools, such as spotted-salamander egg masses. http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/97941.html A different kind of public transportation program in downtown Visalia will give new life to dozens of recycled and refurbished bicycles in a pilot program to encourage ridership and reduce traffic and air pollution. http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/97971.html Rebuilding New Jersey's cities is not just about coming up with new and better programs. It's not even about money, although money is always needed. Rebuilding New Jersey's cities hinges on changing the deeply troubled relationship that exists today between our state government and its cities. New Jersey sends billions of dollars to its older cities every year through Abbott school ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/98221.html The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (formerly the Health Care Financing Administration) issued the following press release: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced a new project that expands its efforts to encourage beneficiaries covered by traditional Medicare to take advantage of Internet-based resources ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/97451.html LAFAYETTE - About 50 Lafayette Parish jail inmates recently took advantage of a new opportunity to ease the transition back from incarceration to making their way on the outside. The state Office of Motor Vehicles paid a house call to the jail to issue 46 inmates state identification cards, paid for by the inmates, as part of the jail's re-entry program, known as Options. http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/98241.html One court document said 79-year-old Virginia Allred was "sobbing and appeared very upset" after her daughter began screaming at her brother and the staff at the Lyngblomsten Care Center. http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/news/97771.html IT IS OFTEN said that a democracy only works if the citizens are well informed. Ameritocracy.com is hoping that it can do its part to keep the wheels of democracy moving. The Seattle startup is developing a new online service that allows readers to rate the credibility and relevance of political news stories and politicians' comments. Though still a month or so away from launch, the site has ...