Promising Practices
The Promising Practices database informs professionals and community members about documented approaches to improving community health and quality of life.
The ultimate goal is to support the systematic adoption, implementation, and evaluation of successful programs, practices, and policy changes. The database provides carefully reviewed, documented, and ranked practices that range from good ideas to evidence-based practices.
Learn more about the ranking methodology.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Transportation, Children, Teens, Urban
Goal: The goal of the Safe Routes to School program is to improve safety and encourage more children to safely walk and bicycle to school. In addition, the programs work toward reducing traffic congestion and improving health and the environment.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Teens
Goal: Media-Smart Youth aims to stimulate youth to think about physical activity and nutrition by developing an awareness of the link between media and health.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Domestic Violence & Abuse, Men, Urban
Goal: Men Unlearning Violence helps men transform their relationships with people and with themselves by learning to respond instead of react, and replacing control with intimacy.
Filed under Good Idea, Economy / Housing & Homes, Children, Teens, Adults, Older Adults, Families, Urban
Goal: Move Beyond Crisis is a walk-in-center that helps individuals and families find emergency housing and support services, including food vouchers, clothing, and benefits.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Older Adults, Older Adults, Rural
Goal: The purpose of the ombudsmen is to recognize potential problems and represent elderly and institutionalized clients throughout the state.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants, Urban
Goal: The goal of NYC WasteLe$$ is to promote waste prevention at businesses, agencies, schools, and at home.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Crime & Crime Prevention, Urban
Goal: The goal of this program is to reduce drug and disorder problems in Oakland, California.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Air, Children
Goal: The program aims to accomplish two things in Central California: (1) permanently change local policy with respect to existing operating procedures in school districts and schools to help reduce exposure of students, teachers, staff and nearly communities to outdoor environmental asthma triggers ;and (2) provide education on air quality and potential health effects from exposure to air pollutants.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Employment, Children, Urban
Goal: The goal of this program is to provide flexible, nurturing education and child care for working families.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders, Children, Teens, Adults, Older Adults, Urban
Goal: The purpose of Pets for Life, Inc. is to enhance the care and treatment of people in local hospitals, nursing homes, domestic violence shelters, mental health programs, youth treatment centers, corrections facilities, and hospices through the use of certified therapy teams of pets and volunteers.
Impact: The benefits of pet/volunteer visits to people in the community include increased emotional/sociological well being of these individuals and positive physiological changes.