National Academy Releases Report on the National Park Service’s Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate.
On June 30th, the National Academy of Public Administration released an Academy Panel’s report, Strengthening America’s Best Idea: An Independent Review of the National Park Service’s Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate. Among other things, this directorate (NRSS) is responsible for providing usable natural and social science information throughout the National Park Service (NPS). NRSS leadership requested this review of the directorate’s performance on five core functions, its relationships with key internal NPS stakeholders, and its performance measurement system.
Based upon its review, the Panel determined that NRSS is a highly regarded organization that provides independent, credible scientific expertise and technical information. The Panel also found that NRSS and NPS have additional opportunities to advance natural resource stewardship throughout the Service. If implemented, the Panel’s eight major recommendations will (1) help the Service respond to the parks’ environmental challenges while raising public awareness about the condition of these special places; (2) strengthen NRSS as an organization; (3) promote scientifically-based decision-making at the national, regional, and park levels; and (4) improve the existing performance measurement system.
The National Academy's Collaboration Project Online Dialogue Brainstorm Guide.
After more than a dozen successful dialogues, covering myriad topics from Health IT and Privacy to the Recovery Board, and most recently, the establishment of a Climate Service within NOAA, the Collaboration Project staff is excited to share the latest product of our research agenda, "The Online Dialogue Brainstorm Guide." Based on lessons learned from previous online engagements, this guide provides the reader with a step-by-step list of questions to consider when planning an online Dialogue. By following the five steps outlined in this guide and taking the time to answer the questions posed, readers will increase the likelihood that their engagement is a success.
This "Brainstorm Guide" is the first in a series of "how-to guides" that the Collaboration Project will release in the coming months. These guides will continue to offer guidance on the preparation of successful online engagements and will focus on such topics as outreach, platform development, hosting and project management.
Listen Now: What DC Influencers are Saying About the National Debt
The National Academy of Public Administration and Public Agenda held an engaging session highlighting the results of a new poll entitled “The Buck Stops Where? What D.C. Influencers Say About the National Debt,” which illuminates the views of DC “movers and shakers” on the national debt. Following the session, provocateurs Dr. Elaine Kamarck of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and John Castellani, President and CEO of Business Roundtable provided their insights and perspectives about how America can rise above the partisan divide that is impeding progress on the issue. To view this lively discussion, click here.
Academy Issues Panel Report on the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System
On June 1, the National Academy of Public Administration released the Academy Panel Report on the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS), the Department of Defense’s (DoD) effort to establish common personnel policies and a performance-based human resource program for the 50,000 employees of its intelligence components. The Panel agreed that this effort was critical to improving both individual and organizational performance by encouraging greater cooperation and collaboration that will lead to better intelligence products that enable America’s military, security and law enforcement personnel to protect America and thwart attacks.
The study, which was mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010, found that the design of DCIPS is fundamentally sound and conforms to accepted principles of design for performance-based compensation systems, including appropriate equity considerations and internal checks and balances to ensure fairness. The Panel concluded that there is nothing in DCIPS design that would lead to negative impacts related to diversity or fair pay. At the same time, the Panel found that implementation of DCIPS has been seriously flawed. Due to the limited amount of experience with the system, the Panel determined that it is too soon to draw conclusions about the impact of DCIPS. The Panel recommended that DoD act with urgency to address the implementation issues and phase in the DCIPS performance-based compensation elements based on readiness assessments of the remaining intelligence components.
Philander Smith College Uses Both Fiscal and Physical Strategies to Win the Second Annual Budgetball on the Mall Tournament
On Friday, May 21, 2010, hundreds of participants and spectators engaged in fiscal strategy and physical sport at the Second Annual Budgetball on the Mall Tournament, which was hosted by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation and the National Academy of Public Administration. This year, there were sixteen teams: eight Washington “establishment” teams, including teams representing the Department of the Treasury and House Budget Committee; and eight college teams, including teams from five Historically Black Colleges and Universities that participated in the National Academy’s Budgetball Civic Engagement Initiative this year.
In the semi-finals, 'Stress Tested' from the US Department of the Treasury played Central State University, while Philander Smith College took on the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (fresh off a victory over the Peter G. Peterson Foundation team). 'Stress Tested' was boosted by a visit from Treasury Secretary Geithner, but ultimately lost to Central State who advanced to play Philander Smith in the finals. Having engaged in a “savings strategy” that capitalized on their physical talent, Philander Smith had accumulated a massive Budgetbuck surplus, and took the championship when their Budgetbucks were converted to points.
Budgetball is a new sport designed to raise awareness about financial capability at the personal level and the long term fiscal sustainability of the United States. It strips away the complicated jargon and distills lessons about debt and savings into an easy to learn, fun to play game! You can learn more about Budgetball at www.budgetball.org !
Engaging Stakeholders in Setting Homeland Security Policy
Six years after its creation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) undertook the first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR), a top-to-bottom review that will inform the homeland security policy for the next four years. Recognizing the need to inform this review with the input of the thousands of homeland security stakeholders nationwide, DHS partnered with the National Academy to host a series of online collaborative dialogues to solicit stakeholder feedback on the missions, goals, and priorities of DHS. This after-action report provides valuable lessons in conducting stakeholder outreach on an unprecedented scale, as well as recommendations for DHS to continue engaging its vast network of stakeholders in shaping policy. The feedback received in these Dialogues was incorporated into the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, which DHS submitted to Congress in early 2010.
We also welcome your comments on the report on Slideshare
National Academy hosts United We Ride National Dialogue
A Panel of the National Academy of Public Administration, in partnership with Easter Seals Project ACTION, recently conducted an online dialogue and developed a report for the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility. The Council is a consortium of 11 federal departments that provide funding to state and local governments and non-profit organizations to provide transportation services for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes. Through the online dialogue, which drew more than 3,500 unique participants from across the nation, the Council sought insight and advice from stakeholders regarding the next strategic plan and future policy priorities for its “United We Ride” initiative. The Panel identified four major themes and made recommendations related to: (1) improving local coordinated transportation planning; (2) addressing significant federal policy barriers to improved access to transportation services; (3) increasing the use of mobility management strategies; and (4) linking transportation service programs to other community initiatives that promote accessibility and universal design.
Academy Panel Assesses FEMA Progress Integrating Preparedness and Building Capacity of Regional Office
December 2009 – In October 2006, Congress enacted major legislation to reform the function and organization of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in response to the recognized failures in preparation and response to Hurricane Katrina. The Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA) focused national preparedness responsibilities within FEMA and directed additional resources and responsibilities to FEMA’s ten regional offices. Directed by Congress, in October 2008, a National Academy Panel began c an independent assessment of FEMA’s integration of preparedness functions and progress in development of robust regional offices.
The Panel found that while FEMA has made considerable progress within these two areas, it has yet to define specific goals and outcomes to determine if these two key components have been achieved. The Panel also noted the continuing challenge for FEMA stakeholders who are not yet full partners in national preparedness. And finally, the Panel identified serious concern with FEMA’s ineffective internal business practices with particular reference to inadequate strategic human capital planning. To meet congressional mandates and public expectations, FEMA must build upon progress to date to fully integrate preparedness, to strengthen the capacity of the regional offices, establish working partnerships with stakeholders, and improve internal business practices that support its mission-related programs.
NAPA/NRC Committee Report Offers New Approach to U.S. Debt Challenge
An important new report – Choosing Our Nation’s Fiscal Future – by a joint Committee of the National Academy of Public Administration and the National Research Council charts a path to a sustainable fiscal future for our nation. Breaking through partisan ideology, this diverse Committee of experts presents not only their assessment of the challenges we face, but also offers the first test for evaluating the fiscal sustainability of any proposed solution. As a starting point for a national conversation, the report also offers a new framework for formulating solutions and four paths that meet the fiscal sustainability test. This two-year project was funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
To download a copy of the report, join the national conversation, or access media resources, click here.
National Academy Launches New Interactive Website on America’s Fiscal Future
A new interactive website – www.ourfiscalfuture.org – has been launched by the National Academy, in conjunction with the release of the report Choosing our Nation’s Fiscal Future. The website, which was developed with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, will spur online discussion about the nation's fiscal future and how to get America back on the road to fiscal sustainability. The website provides opportunities to comment, rate blogs and comments, post videos, and share content through Facebook, Twitter and other online social media. It will serve as the hub of a nationwide network of individuals, organizations and public officials who seek constructive dialogue about how to secure the fiscal future of our country.
National Academy Emphasizes Need for Collaboration
Between Military Installations and Surrounding Communities
To Ensure Both Military Readiness and Community Quality of Life
The National Academy today released its Panel Report, Strengthening National Defense: Countering Encroachment through Military-Community Collaboration. The Panel found that the proximity of civilian communities and military installations presents significant and growing challenges to military readiness as well as to the quality of life in nearby communities. The Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) Program, which is administered by the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment, supports communities in working with nearby military installations to develop land use policies that balance the needs of both. Recently, the Department has undertaken related initiatives to help ensure the continued availability of its testing and training ranges and preserve the nation’s military readiness.
While recognizing the progress made through these existing efforts, the Panel recommends that more be done to improve collaboration between the installations and their surrounding communities, to preserve military readiness while taking into account the needs of the installations’ civilian neighbors. The Panel’s recommendations are designed to ensure a strong focus on the needs of both military and civilian communities, including better recognition of longer-term risks and increased collaboration among key stakeholders—local and state governments, non-profit organizations, the Military Services and installations, and other federal agencies—in order to creatively and effectively address these complex and critical issues.
On Thursday, March 5, the National Academy Governance and Economic Crisis Panel discussion was featured in a Washington Post Op Ed written by David Broder. Mr. Broder attended the February 26 event at the Academy and captures interesting insights and comments in his column.
On June 30th, the National Academy of Public Administration released an Academy Panel’s report, Strengthening America’s Best Idea: An Independent Review of the National Park Service’s Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate. Among other things, this directorate (NRSS) is responsible for providing usable natural and social science information throughout the National Park Service (NPS). NRSS leadership requested this review of the directorate’s performance on five core functions, its relationships with key internal NPS stakeholders, and its performance measurement system.
After more than a dozen successful dialogues, covering myriad topics from Health IT and Privacy to the Recovery Board, and most recently, the establishment of a Climate Service within NOAA, the Collaboration Project staff is excited to share the latest product of our research agenda, "The Online Dialogue Brainstorm Guide." Based on lessons learned from previous online engagements, this guide provides the reader with a step-by-step list of questions to consider when planning an online Dialogue. By following the five steps outlined in this guide and taking the time to answer the questions posed, readers will increase the likelihood that their engagement is a success.
The National Academy of Public Administration and Public Agenda held an engaging session highlighting the results of a new poll entitled “The Buck Stops Where? What D.C. Influencers Say About the National Debt,” which illuminates the views of DC “movers and shakers” on the national debt. Following the session, provocateurs Dr. Elaine Kamarck of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and John Castellani, President and CEO of Business Roundtable provided their insights and perspectives about how America can rise above the partisan divide that is impeding progress on the issue. To view this lively discussion, 
On June 1, the National Academy of Public Administration released the Academy Panel Report on the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS), the Department of Defense’s (DoD) effort to establish common personnel policies and a performance-based human resource program for the 50,000 employees of its intelligence components. The Panel agreed that this effort was critical to improving both individual and organizational performance by encouraging greater cooperation and collaboration that will lead to better intelligence products that enable America’s military, security and law enforcement personnel to protect America and thwart attacks. 
spectators engaged in fiscal strategy and physical sport at the Second Annual Budgetball on the Mall Tournament, which was hosted by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation and the National Academy of Public Administration. This year, there were sixteen teams: eight Washington “establishment” teams, including teams representing the Department of the Treasury and House Budget Committee; and eight college teams, including teams from five Historically Black Colleges and Universities that participated in the National Academy’s Budgetball Civic Engagement Initiative this year.
Six years after its creation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) undertook the first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR), a top-to-bottom review that will inform the homeland security policy for the next four years. Recognizing the need to inform this review with the input of the thousands of homeland security stakeholders nationwide, DHS partnered with the National Academy to host a series of online collaborative dialogues to solicit stakeholder feedback on the missions, goals, and priorities of DHS. This after-action report provides valuable lessons in conducting stakeholder outreach on an unprecedented scale, as well as recommendations for DHS to continue engaging its vast network of stakeholders in shaping policy. The feedback received in these Dialogues was incorporated into the 
A Panel of the National Academy of Public Administration, in partnership with Easter Seals Project ACTION, recently conducted an online dialogue and developed a report for the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility. The Council is a consortium of 11 federal departments that provide funding to state and local governments and non-profit organizations to provide transportation services for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes. Through the online dialogue, which drew more than 3,500 unique participants from across the nation, the Council sought insight and advice from stakeholders regarding the next strategic plan and future policy priorities for its “United We Ride” initiative. The Panel identified four major themes and made recommendations related to: (1) improving local coordinated transportation planning; (2) addressing significant federal policy barriers to improved access to transportation services; (3) increasing the use of mobility management strategies; and (4) linking transportation service programs to other community initiatives that promote accessibility and universal design. 
December 2009 – In October 2006, Congress enacted major legislation to reform the function and organization of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in response to the recognized failures in preparation and response to Hurricane Katrina. The Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA) focused national preparedness responsibilities within FEMA and directed additional resources and responsibilities to FEMA’s ten regional offices. Directed by Congress, in October 2008, a National Academy Panel began c an independent assessment of FEMA’s integration of preparedness functions and progress in development of robust regional offices.
An important new report – Choosing Our Nation’s Fiscal Future – by a joint Committee of the National Academy of Public Administration and the National Research Council charts a path to a sustainable fiscal future for our nation. Breaking through partisan ideology, this diverse Committee of experts presents not only their assessment of the challenges we face, but also offers the first test for evaluating the fiscal sustainability of any proposed solution. As a starting point for a national conversation, the report also offers a new framework for formulating solutions and four paths that meet the fiscal sustainability test. This two-year project was funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. 
The National Academy today released its Panel Report, Strengthening National Defense: Countering Encroachment through Military-Community Collaboration. The Panel found that the proximity of civilian communities and military installations presents significant and growing challenges to military readiness as well as to the quality of life in nearby communities. The Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) Program, which is administered by the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment, supports communities in working with nearby military installations to develop land use policies that balance the needs of both. Recently, the Department has undertaken related initiatives to help ensure the continued availability of its testing and training ranges and preserve the nation’s military readiness.
