TRENTON – At a virtual event co-hosted by the National Governors Association (NGA) today, New Jersey was highlighted by Results for America as a honor roll state in using evidence and data to deliver better results for New Jerseyans.

Results for America, a national nonprofit that promotes evidence-based policymaking, released the 2021 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence, an annual report that assesses how states across the country are building and using data and evidence to drive budget, policy, and management decisions. This year’s Standard of Excellence identified 200 leading and promising data-driven and evidence-based efforts in 36 states - an 18% increase from last year.

New Jersey was one of four Honor Roll States and eight Leading States that were recognized for using evidence and data to protect the health and safety of their residents, accelerate their states’ economic recovery, advance equity, and increase the impact of state investments. The report highlighted New Jersey’s investment in the New Jersey State Office of Innovation which works collaboratively with state agencies and departments to improve the delivery of citizen services.

“I’m proud of the recognition our state has earned for being a national leader in innovation,” said Governor Murphy, who also serves as vice-chair of the NGA. “We will continue to invest in the tools, talent, and technology that will empower us to better serve the public. Whether it’s equipping our workforce with cutting-edge training or making it easier for New Jerseyans to start and grow a business, I look forward to building on all that we’ve accomplished. I would like to recognize my entire cabinet for their continued leadership that makes this great work possible.”

“I thank Results for America for recognizing the work our office and our agency partners have accomplished in fostering innovation in New Jersey,” said Beth Simone Noveck, Chief Innovation Officer for the State of New Jersey. “By using data-driven decision making and putting the public we serve at the center of our design process -- and using the Skills Accelerator to teach these new ways of working to more public servants--we are tangibly improving policy and services for our residents.”

“For government leaders across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of using evidence and data to meet the urgent needs of residents,” said Michele Jolin, CEO and Co-Founder of Results for America. “The 2021 State Standard of Excellence shows how many governors and other state leaders are now taking a data-driven, evidence-based approach to accelerating their state’s economic recovery, advancing racial equity, and driving dollars toward the most effective solutions.”

Invest in What Works specifically called out the Innovation Skills Accelerator, the Office of Innovation’s free platform that teaches public servants how to use new skills, including technology, data and equitable community engagement to improve service delivery. Also recognized was the Future of Work Accelerator, an initiative of the NJ Future of Work Task Force to support 20 for- and not-for-profit leaders to implement innovations that support worker rights, worker safety, and lifelong learning for workers in New Jersey.