The Return to Community initiative was selected to receive a Bright Idea designation. More than 60 programs were recognized from over 500 applications. As a Bright Idea, Return to Community Initiative will be highlighted on the Ash Center’s Government Innovator’s Network, and received a seal designating the program as a Bright Idea. All Bright Ideas will also become a part of the Government Innovator’s network open collection of innovations.

The Bright Idea designation is awarded by Innovations in American Government Awards program, the nation’s preeminent program devoted to recognizing and promoting excellence and creativity in the public sector. The program highlights exemplary models of government innovation and advances efforts to address the nation’s most pressing public concerns. Since its inception in 1985, the Program has received over 27,000 applications and recognized nearly 500 government initiatives since it was established in 1985 with funding from the Ford Foundation.

To learn more, please visit the Government Innovators Network and MN Board on Aging website.