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, Community / Public Safety, Children, Urban
Goal: The goal of the TARGET program is to reduce gang crime by selectively incarcerating the most violent and repeat (recidivist) gang offenders (based on their criminal records).
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Student Performance K-12, Teens, Urban
Goal: The goal of this program is to reduce truancy in West Contra Costa schools.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
Goal: TRUCE works with young people in order to increase their awareness of fitness and health, improve their academic performance, and empower them to make healthier decisions.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Transportation, Adults, Urban
Goal: Toronto’s “Turn it Off” initiative sought to encourage motorists to avoid idling their cars when picking up or dropping off at school or at public transportation terminals, which in turn would improve air quality and help reduce urban contribution to climate change.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Built Environment, Urban
Goal: Isles, Inc., is a nationally recognized nonprofit community development and environmental organization with the mission to foster more self-reliant families in healthy, sustainable communities. Through their Urban Brownfields program, Isles works to create a deeper understanding of the health and environmental conditions in Trenton.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases, Children, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Goal: Vaccines for Children was designed to ensure that eligible children do not contract vaccine-preventable diseases because of inability to pay for vaccine.
Impact: Racial and ethnic disparities in vaccination coverage between non-Hispanic white children and children of other groups have declined for vaccines that have been recommended since 1995. By providing increased access, VFC has increased protection for all children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Domestic Violence & Abuse, Children, Teens, Adults, Women, Men, Older Adults, Families, Urban
Goal: The mission of the Violence Intervention Program is to protect and treat all victims of family violence and sexual assault.
Filed under Good Idea, Economy / Government Assistance, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Goal: The goal of this program is to ensure that Washington's Social and Health Services are available and accessible to all Washington residents.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Children's Health, Children, Teens, Families
Goal: The goal of We Can! is to bring families and communities together to promote healthy weight in children ages 8 through 13 through improved food choices, increased physical activity, and reduced screen time.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Goal: The goals of Weed and Seed are to control violent crime, drug trafficking, and drug-related crime and provide a safe environment where residents can live, work, and raise their families.