Policy Academy to Strengthen Benefits Systems Through Innovative Technology

May 11, 2026 - 23:27

A new initiative aims to help state governments overhaul how they deliver food assistance and health coverage. The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices has launched a Policy Academy focused on strengthening benefits systems through innovative technology. The project will support up to six states and territories as they work to advance their governors' priorities for modernizing SNAP and Medicaid systems.

The effort targets improvements in technology, operations, and governance. These changes are meant to align with the implementation of H.R. 1, the major federal infrastructure and tax legislation. State leaders often struggle with outdated computer systems and complicated rules that make it hard for eligible people to get benefits. The academy will bring together teams from selected states to share best practices and develop concrete plans.

The NGA Center teams for Children and Families and Health are now accepting applications. They are looking for states that are ready to make real changes to how benefits are delivered. The goal is to make the systems work better for both the people who use them and the staff who run them. This is not just about buying new software. It is about rethinking how the whole process works, from application to renewal, to reduce errors and improve access.