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 / Children's Health, Children, Families
California Healthy Start's mission is to provide comprehensive services that support the wide variety of needs of children and further student learning.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Economic Climate
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.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Nutrition & Healthy Eating, Rural
CVAN is the Kansas conduit for tons of healthy produce from the Catholic Charities Mary Martha Organization--the steward of excess highly perishable high quality foods from a huge Walmart Distribution Center in Oklahoma. As food supplies allow, CVAN distributes to the 100 square mile school district and to share with a networked family of pantries and volunteer organizations in five Kansas counties and South Coffeyville, OK. As needed, CVAN has recruited distribution volunteers in covering communities within this economically depressed region. The network family was built upon the CVAN’s supply of fresh produce, but is now blessing this area with distribution of CARES foods during the COVID crisis. Its volunteers are food warriors--winning in the fight against rural hunger.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Student Performance K-12, Teens, Urban
The goal of this program is to foster academic success among at-risk students.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Student Performance K-12, Children, Teens, Adults, Urban
The goal of the program is to provide at-risk youth with mentorship and employment skills.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Health Care Access & Quality, Older Adults
To provide transportation and improve patient satisfaction for nonemergency medical services.
CareMore's NEMT was so successful in the first 3 months, the programs were expanded in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Virginia.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders, Children, Teens, Urban
The goal of Caring for Kids is to provide youth impacted by a loved one's substance use with the tools they need to stay safe and build a healthy life, and to reduce the likelihood that impacted youth will abuse substances.
In 2013, more than 250 youth were impacted by Caring for Kids. 90% of youth participants showed a decreased likelihood of alcohol or other drug use, and 100% completed an action plan.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Childcare & Early Childhood Education, Children
The goal of this program is to improve the academic performance and cognitive development of young children who are considered at risk for developmental delays and school failure.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Cancer, Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
The goal of this project is to improve colorectal cancer screening awareness among low-income women traditionally underserved by cancer control efforts.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Transportation, Adults, Urban
The goal of Casual Carpool is to match commuters in order to reduce traffic congestion and to save money for both drivers and passengers by avoiding public transit fees and bridge tolls.