 |
|
|
| Economic Development |
|
To assist low-income inventors in the Denver area with the patent application process, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has partnered with the Colorado Bar Association to connect these budding entrepreneurs with patent attorneys. Under ProBoPat, lawyers will assist inventors by researching patents for similar inventions to guard against claims of infringement, counsel inventors on strategy, and write and file patent applications, all at no charge or greatly reduced rates. The initiative is modeled after a pilot program launched in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area last year, and any costs of the program will be paid by sponsors and donors. Officials hope to launch similar pro bono initiatives in five additional cities this year.
|
|
| Courts and Legal Services |
|
New York State will soon require new lawyers to perform at least 50 hours of pro bono work before being admitted to the bar. In recent years, the number of people struggling financially has increased as government support for legal services has diminished. With estimates that only 20 percent of current legal needs are being met, the mandate will help alleviate the flood of cases requiring legal representation, while giving newly-minted lawyers the opportunity to receive some practical experience before embarking on their careers. With about 10,000 people passing the New York Bar Exam annually, legal services could benefit from over a half-million hours of free legal work each year.
|
|
| Service Delivery |
|
The Social Security Administration is ensuring that all workers are able to analyze their expected benefits online to aid in their employment and retirement decision-making. Using their home computers, workers can now immediately review their earnings history and expected Social Security payouts under different retirement date scenarios without having to wait for their annual paper statement or a customer service representative on the phone. The system will also provide estimates of survivor and disability benefits. While the tool involved upfront costs, it is expected to save money in the future due to the decreased need to print and mail paper statements.
|
|
| Secondary Education |
|
Armed with research showing a strong correlation between the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and college enrollment, the federal government has partnered with Denver Public Schools to identify students who have not filled out the form and encourage them to do so. Under the FAFSA Completion Project, Denver high schools will receive updated information from the federal government monthly regarding students who have yet to fill out their forms. School officials can then issue reminders and aid those students in completing their forms. The project also has helped schools determine what training school officials need in order to best assist students.
|
|
| Corrections, Probation, and Parole |
|
The Ingham County Sheriff's Office in Michigan is giving persons convicted of nonviolent crimes the opportunity to avoid jail time by participating in the removal and cleanup of dead animals from roads. Volunteer offenders on the Dead Animal Recovery Team will have the use of scoop shovels, gloves, reflector vests, and a special trailer equipped for the purpose. The program is expected to save the county money by freeing up transportation workers to attend to other tasks.
|
|
| Courts and Legal Services |
|
In Hennepin County, Minnesota, the Co-Parent Court has addressed the special problems of families with unmarried parents since 2010. Recognizing that the legal and child-support system needs to address the growing number of children born to unmarried parents who often do not know each other well, this court works with community service agencies to not only ensure that children are financially supported but also to help both parents work together to raise their children. Partnering agencies help parents obtain a job and engage with domestic violence, addiction, or mental health problems; and co-parents must attend sessions that help them map out schedules and increase communication and trust.
|
|
| Efficiency Lessons from Our City Halls and Statehouses |
|
State and local governments are finding ways to cut spending while improving services. By avoiding false choices and undertaking the tough work of increasing productivity and innovation, thinning the bureaucracy and managing down large unfunded obligations, these leaders are setting an example not only for other local and state governments but for Washington. We can indeed produce better and cheaper government.
|
| How Oregon Networks for Solutions |
|
To address community-level priorities, the state of Oregon has begun putting its agencies together with key public and private stakeholders. The Oregon Solutions Network coordinates resources and programs to address regional community and economic development priorities around the state. The approach has already produced some victories.
|
| Big Pension Reforms in a Little State |
|
Rhode Island and its capital city of Providence face crushing pension-funding issues. Crisis breeds opportunity, and city and state officials have stepped up to make hard decisions. Thanks to their courage, residents will be spared deep service cuts and dramatic property tax hikes, and future public employees will be part of a system that can deliver on its promises.
Newsletter produced by: Jessica Engelman, editor; Brendan St. Amant, researcher and writer.
|
|
|
Back To Top
|
NOTE: The highlights in this newsletter link to source articles from other websites, and may not be available after a certain length of time.
Please feel free to forward this message to colleagues.
You are receiving this newsletter because of preferences you selected as a registered user of the Government Innovators Network®.
To unsubscribe, login to http://innovations.harvard.edu using your email address and password, then click "User profile" at the top right corner to change your preferences.
About the Ash Center
The Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, education, international programs, and government innovations awards, the Center fosters creative and effective problem solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world's citizens. The Ford Foundation is a founding donor of the Center. Additional information about the Ash Center is available at http://ash.harvard.edu.
|
