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 Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
The goal of the Bay Area SCORES program is to reduce obesity, increase physical fitness, and manage cardiovascular health-related risks while improving academic performance in children between the ages of 6 and 12 through soccer, creative expression, service learning, “hip hop for health,” and creative writing.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Oral Health
The goal of the Be Smart & Seal Them! program is to provide dental sealants proven to prevent tooth decay to second grade students.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Alternative Medicine, Urban
Being Alive is a nonprofit membership organization created and operated by and for people living with HIV/AIDS that aims to build a healthier and more powerful community of HIV-positive people.
Best Practices of Mayors and Their City Governments in Promoting Tolerance and Respect for Diversity (Santa Clarita, CA)
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Crime & Crime Prevention, Families
The goals of the program are to: 1) reduce crime and improve public safety; 2) improve police-citizen cooperation and communication; 3) improve law enforcement responsiveness to members of the community; and 4) increase quality of life and increase police and citizen's ability to creatively solve community problems.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability, Families
Currently, the average U.S. family spends nearly $1,300 a year on energy bills, with much of that energy being wasted due to air leaks, inefficient appliances, and a general lack of attention to this important issue. The Community Associations Institute (CAI) and the Department of Energy (DOE) are dedicated to educating the community association industry--and the significant portion of the U.S. population it represents--on the many ways to increase the energy efficiency of their homes, and thereby reduce both energy consumption and costs.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Children's Health, Children, Adults, Women, Men, Families, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
The Changing Children’s Worlds Foundation (CCWF) mission is for every child and adolescent to be supported in positive development by caregivers and professionals within loving, non-violent families and peaceful communities. Through parent groups and educational workshops we strive to promote a sense of community and foster empathy.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Childcare & Early Childhood Education, Children
Big Brothers Big Sisters' mission is to provide supportive relationships for young people to assist them in realizing their potential.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Crime & Crime Prevention
The goal of the program is to empower individuals to look to themselves to support society after life in prison.
The program helps people adjust to life after prison.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Crime & Crime Prevention, Children, Teens
The goal of this program is to decrease gang-related activity and to increase socially positive interactions for children and adolescents.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Teens, Urban
The goal of Brainfood is to engage young people in healthy, creative cooking activities to build life skills and promote healthy living.