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, Environmental Health / Built Environment, Urban
Goal: Working with block associations, community gardens, community centers, and other groups, Brooklyn GreenBridge promotes conservation and community through gardening activities.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Community / Public Safety, Adults, Older Adults
Goal: The goal of this program is to increase safety belt use among senior drivers.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases, Adults
Goal: Building Bridges has the overall mission of providing education, training, services, advocacy, and promoting the rights and dignity of individuals infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Impact: Building Bridges provides free HIV testing, prevention case management, individual and group counseling, and referrals for additional needed services.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Employment
Goal: The goal of this program was to improve the skills and productivity of the Massachusetts workforce.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes, Adults, Urban
Goal: Building Tulsa, Building Lives aims to end chronic homelessness in the city of Tulsa within five years (2007-2012) by creating sustainable, supportive housing through a public-private partnership of government agencies, philanthropic organizations, faith-based organizations and local communities.
Filed under Good Idea, Economy / Economic Climate, Adults, Families
Goal: The goal of Buy Local Berkeley is to inspire community members to shift their spending to Berkeley owned and operated businesses.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Teens, Older Adults, Families
Goal: This program seeks to encourage low-income elderly, families, and youth to learn about nutrition through research-based education programs. It offers advice on how to eat healthy foods on a limited budget.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Maternal, Fetal & Infant Health, Women, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
Goal: The mission of the By My Side Birth Support Program is to provide birth support and encourage breastfeeding among low-income and immigrant mothers living in Brooklyn through the use of doula services.
Impact: By March 2012, the By My Side Birth Support Program successfully trained more than 30 women in the community. These doulas, along with those already working for By My Side, participated in more than 100 births.
Filed under Good Idea, Economy / Employment, Teens
Goal: The goal of the California Green Corps is to place 1,000 at-risk young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 into "green" jobs in order to stimulate the economy and provide opportunities for disadvantaged youth while improving and protecting the environment.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Economic Climate
Goal: The purpose of California Main Street is to educate and provide assistance to California communities about how they can revitalize their downtowns or core commercial districts using the self-help Main Street Four-Point Approach. Through this education on how traditional downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts can become and remain vital economic, social, and cultural centers, the community's development leads to livable and sustainable practices that ultimately improve its quality of life.