http://www.innovations.harvard.edu This section focuses on new initiatives underway in the field of health and social services. Topics include primary care, access and insurance, medical education and research, healthcare administration, long-term care, mental health services, public assistance, public health, gender and ethnicity issues, social services to specific populations, substance abuse treatment and prevention, and general violence/abuse treatment and prevention. en-us Copyright 2009, Government Innovators Network Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:20:00 -0500 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:20:00 -0500 info@innovations.harvard.edu http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=9007 The Cyprus Government committed itself to an active role in social policy when it stated in 1967 that "it recognizes that health, education and other social considerations affect and are interdependent on a vast complex of variables which determine both the social and economic welfare of the island".  At first, the Government had to face the problem of infectious illnesses, spread in a region ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=102101 The Frontiers of Innovation conference was held at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), March 31–April 2, 2008, and hosted participants from more than 50 countries. The conference highlighted how governments can be more effective at solving problems and improving the lives of their citizens through innovation. The conference—designed by HKS faculty for senior managers, elected officials ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=9321 The concept of the Welfare State implies many considerations about social justice, social security, ability to pay and public expenditures. These issues have been discussed for a long time in the Developed Countries and now, thanks to the increase of citizen participation, it is spreading also in the Developing Countries. In many world regions there are more and more indications of mind-changing ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=2981 The frail elderly have special multidimensional housing needs beyond affordability, including shelter that is more adaptive to reduced function and offers supportive services. Suitable housing for this population comprises three policy areas?housing, health care, and social services. In a federal system, development and implementation of policies in these areas involves participation of several ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=9383 The stagnation and decline in economic activity since 1998 put a heavy burden on the middle and low-income segments of the population. This has affected the status and development of health. The social effects of fiscal policy have accentuated somewhat the socio-economic disparities that emerged during the years of civil war. In fact Lebanon enjoyed a high standard of healthcare precivil war (1975 ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=687992 Conducted by the UK's Strategy Unit Cabinet Office, this study sets out insights from the best examples of innovative services, showing how to raise standards and provide greater value for money. The study shows how five key changes lie behind the ‘power shift’ that is changing the relationship between citizens and state, front line and the centre, around the world: • using ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=4969 Innovation: Applying Knowledge in Development underscores the critical importance of knowledge and innovation for development in every country. Responding to challenges in areas such as economic productivity, agriculture, education, gender inequity, health, water, sanitation, environment, and participation in the global economy will require increased use of scientific and technical knowledge. Technological ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=9320   In Egypt there is a strong legal and societal foundation for social protection which is recognised in the Constitution, and the social security system is one of the most comprehensive in Africa and in the Arab region. In spite of this, there is, somewhere between the legislative intention and its implementation, a loss of real impact in meeting social protection needs, the main problem ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=9413 This is a list of relevant articles and resources compiled by the National Institue of Justice for the online chat: "Prisoner Reentry: Facing the Challenges of Returning Home" taking place on November 9, 2005.   . http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=2701 Tribal gaming in Oklahoma is a growing industry with a range of positive social and economic impacts. This report ons delve more deeply into tribal gaming policy and its effect on both the state of Oklahoma and Indian nations in Oklahoma. Section II answers the question: Why tribal government gaming? Section II shows why modern Indian self-determination policy has been successful and why tribal ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=8994 "Welfare" in Albania The core theme of this paper is not the welfare system in itself, the way it is now, but its evolution and how it will probably be in the near future, what its weaknesses are and how to intervene. Since the collapse of the communist era Albania is on a transition path moving from a centrally planned economy to a market oriented one. The transition model implies the gradual ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=128971 In recent years, human rights have become a prominent issue in politics and society, creating a new idea of concept of what human rights entails, extending to include not only social rights, but economic and political rights as well. As human rights have become a central element of international policy, it is important to highlight instances where great strides in their development have occurred ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=128961 The Millennium Development Goals have become a universal framework for development and a means for developing countries and their development partners to work together in pursuit of a common vision. The challenge of achieving the Millennium Development Goals in all regions of the developing countries by 2015 is a daunting one. Unfortunately, many of these countries are behind the MDG targets. Success ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=3351 Florida has traditionally sought to constrain the growth in social service spending and, in some instances, devolve program responsibility to the local level. State policy has consistently favored leveraging greater federal and local contributions with current state dollars over committing additional state dollars.  Under a grant from the Florida Philanthropic Network, the Urban Institute ... http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/showdoc.html?id=3067 This article surveys recent reforms to Canadian social policy at the national level and welfare programs at the provincial level to determine how social housing policy and programming are being affected. The survey considers Canada's Social Security Review consultation process, which played out over 1994 and 1995. The article outlines various concerns raised over the Canada Health and Social Transfer ...