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, Education / Childcare & Early Childhood Education, Children, Families
The Early Care and Education Program's goal is to provide the highest quality childcare and early education services to children from disadvantaged families.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Childcare & Early Childhood Education
ELLM aims to decrease literacy gaps in the K-12 system by improving emergent literacy skills through preschool curricula interventions, involving a multi-faceted approach of a rigorous classroom curricula, family involvement, a support system for the teachers, and ongoing assessment of current practices.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Teens, Adults, Women, Men, Families, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
The goal of the program is for communities to enjoy and have access to affordable fresh food year-round.
Fresh Stops has improved access to wholesome, local foods for urban residents. In addition, Fresh Stops has engaged community members in the food justice movement and has promoted the adoption of healthy lifestyle changes.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Families, Urban
The program's goal is to help overweight children aged 5-12 years and their families adopt healthier eating habits and increase physical activity.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Families
The goal of the HEAL initiative is empower communities to make changes in their physical and social environment to improve nutrition and physical activity.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Children's Health, Children, Families, Urban
To provide children and parents with the education and resources they need to improve their health.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Governance, Urban
The goal of the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Act is to ensure that funding for new parks and green spaces is prioritized for critically underserved and disadvantaged urban communities.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Alternative Medicine, Older Adults
HeartStrings mission statement is as follows:
1) To enhance the quality of life of underserved populations through live, interactive, and exceptional quality musical experiences that are informed by the American Music Therapy Association’s Standards of Practice.
2) To bring meaningful arts experiences directly to participants in a comfortable and
familiar setting.
3) To provide a valuable resource for facilities that serve aging populations, adults with dementia, and individuals with disabilities, or long-term illnesses.
HeartStrings has reached over 3,200 individuals with disabilities, long-term illness, and assisted-living needs, as well as aging adults with dementia since its start in 2006.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Maternal, Fetal & Infant Health, Children, Women, Families, Urban
The Homeless Prenatal Program works with families to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by providing prenatal and parenting support, family finances and stability, and basic needs services.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Literacy, Children, Families
The program's overall goal is to support parents in their role as their child's first teacher by providing parents with literacy training and children with early development skill building, including language skills.