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, Education / School Environment, Children, Teens, Urban
The goal of this program is to reduce violent tendencies among youth through civic education.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Governance, Children, Teens, Urban
The mission of the New York City Department of Education wellness policy is to reduce sedentary lifestyle and to promote nutritious eating among children.
Filed under Good Idea, Education / School Environment, Children, Teens
The goal of this program is to introduce teachers, students, and chaperones to rail and train safety, the environment, and train travel. This program targets all students from kindergarten through high school.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Septic systems serve approximately 25 percent of the U.S. population and about 40 percent of new developments. The U.S. Census Bureau has indicated that at least 10 percent of septic systems have stopped working. Some communities report failure rates as high as 70 percent! The goal of this program is to improve the performance of decentralized septic systems.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Older Adults, Older Adults
The goal of Serving Our Seniors is to help senior citizens live independently in their homes.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Transportation, Children, Teens, Adults, Families
The goal of the program was to provide an outdoor recreational and bicycle commuting trail along an abandoned railway line in Georgia.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Oral Health, Children
The goal of Smiles for a Lifetime is to make pediatric dental care accessible for all children.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes, Urban
The goal of this program is to create affordable rental and home ownership opportunities for families and to protect current residents from displacement.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders, Teens, Urban
1) Increase capacity of adults to respond to behavioral health issues of adolescents
2) Increase the mental health literacy of youth-interacting adults
3) Link adolescents with behavioral health issues to mental, emotional, and behavioral health assistance and services
4) Increase the number of collaborative partnerships with youth- serving community agencies/programs
5) Conduct outreach and engagement strategies with adolescents and their families/caregivers to increase awareness of and promote positive behavioral health
Collaboration and partnerships can help drive awareness of mental health issues and training adolescents in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) can help spread awareness of mental health resources and referrals to professionals.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / School Environment, Children, Teens
The mission of the Sponsor-A-Mind® program is to supply underprivileged school children and classrooms in less affluent neighborhoods with the basic materials needed to exist and thrive in education.