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 / Mental Health & Mental Disorders, Children, Women, Urban
Goal: The mission of Sheffield Place is "to empower homeless mothers and their children to heal from their trauma and help them become self-sufficient." The goal of the Aftercare program is to provide continuing supportive services once the families have transitioned from the residential program to permanent housing in the community. In this way, the families receive the support they need to maintain or increase income, maintain or improve mental health functioning, and maintain permanent housing.
Impact: This program provides vital supportive services for formerly-homeless families in recovery. Sheffield Place grew from serving just 20 families in 2010 to serving 132 families in 2017 (102 in residential and 30 in aftercare).
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Student Performance K-12, Children
Goal: The goal of Aiming High is to increase the percentage of English learners scoring at or above proficient on California Standardized tests in language arts and math by three percentage points annually.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Cancer, Women, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Goal: To mobilize African American communities, public and community-based organizations and optimize resources to eliminate the disparity in breast and cervical cancer morbidity and mortality between African American and Caucasian women.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Prevention & Safety, Children, Teens
Goal: The goal of the Alive & Free Prescription is to keep youth unharmed by violence and free from incarceration, and to provide youth with the support and opportunities to build positive lives that contribute to society.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Student Performance K-12, Children
Goal: The goal of this program is to prevent delinquency, substance abuse, and school dropout in high risk children.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Goal: The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition aims to use the Toxics Release Inventory data to reduce pollution.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Oral Health, Children
Goal: The goal of the Arizona Dental Sealant Program is to reduce dental caries in children.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Diabetes, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Goal: Joslin's Asian American Diabetes Initiative has a mission to enhance the quality of life and health outcomes for Asian Americans living with diabetes through research, education, outreach and culturally appropriate treatments.
Impact: Joslin's Asian Clinic provides comprehensive and culturally appropriate diabetes care for Asian Americans.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Teens, Adults, Women, Men, Older Adults, Families, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
Goal: The goal of Assessment and Referral is to help individuals struggling with a substance use disorder evaluate their needs and strengths and begin to make healthy choices that improve the overall quality of their lives.
Impact: First Call provided over 1,700 assessments in 2013, and more than half of clients showed improvements in their Addiction Severity Index (ASI) scores or a decrease in substance use.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Adolescent Health, Teens, Urban
Goal: To provide HIV positive youth aged 18 to 24 with stable housing situations and access to adequate medical services.