County's preschool program up for award

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Salt Lake County's program to expand preschool services as a means of preventing more long-term social problems is one of 16 national finalists in a competition honoring innovative policy solutions in local government.

Launched last year, the county's "Pay for Success" program was nominated in the "Best Public-Private Partnership" category. The county is teaming with Voices for Utah Children, United Way of Salt Lake, Goldman Sachs and investor J.B. Pritzker on a plan that expanded preschool services to 600 children at Granite School District sites.

The 'New Ideas Challenge 2014' competition is sponsored by The New DEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders) network — pro-growth elected officials from around the U.S., including County Mayor Ben McAdams.

Winners will be selected in four categories — growing the economy for the future, expanding opportunity for all, making government work better and best public private partnership. Selections will be announced Dec. 3 in Washington, D.C.