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, Health / Heart Disease & Stroke, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
The goal of Salud Para Su Corazón is to raise awareness and knowledge of heart disease risk factors and prevention among Latino populations.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Domestic Violence & Abuse, Adults, Urban
The goal of San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR) is to provide resources, support, advocacy, and education to support the work of individuals and communities in San Francisco that are responding to or healing from sexual violence.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Government Assistance, Families, Urban
-increasing the federal EITC take-up rate;
-promoting asset-building; and
-retaining families in San Francisco.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Transportation, Children, Teens, Adults, Families, Urban
The project's mission is to encourage car free, carefree travel to and around Santa Barbara for cleaner air and a healthier planet.
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, 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 Effective Practice, Health / Physical Activity, Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
The goal of the Healthy Retail Project is to increase access to healthier foods and beverages; decrease the availability of unhealthy products; increase compliance with alcohol, tobacco, and food safety laws; and increase customer loyalty and store profits.
Over 60% of stores assessed in 2014 met Healthy Retail Project Standards and all participating stores increased their food environment score over baseline.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders, Teens
The goal of this intervention was to enhance protective factors associated with reducing suicide among high school students.
The Sources of Strength program was successful in increasing students likelihood of seeking help from an adult at school, as well as those adults ability to help suicidal students.
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.