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, Economy / Employment, Children
The Jewish Vocational Service's (JVS) mission is to bring people and work together. The organization accomplishes this by linking employers and individuals together to achieve the employment goals of the Jewish community by providing the skills necessary for success in today's workplace. JVS links employers and individuals to work together to achieve their employment goals through high quality customer service, innovative program strategies, and the use of new technologies.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Men
The goal of this dental office based intervention is to reduce smokeless tobacco use and other tobacco use.
The dental office-based intervention succeeded in increasing the rates of smokeless tobacco cessation among participants.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Children, Teens, Urban
The objective of this program is to increase life skills such as risk assessment, decision-making and drug resistance, while enhancing anti-drug norms and attitudes.
Evaluation findings suggest that Keepin' it R.E.A.L. succeeded in decreasing substance use, in reducing negative attitudes/behaviors, and in improving positive attitudes/behaviors.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Adolescent Health, Teens, Urban
The goals of this intervention were to delay initiation of sexual intercourse for youth who are not sexually active, encourage the use of condoms among sexually active youth, and enhance communication about sex between youths and their mothers.
Keepin' It R.E.A.L. teen participants increased their condom-use during sexual activity while maternal participants reported feeling more comfortable when discussing sexual issues with their teens.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Teens
Keepin' it REAL aims to reduce adolescent alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Teens
Given the increased prevalence among youth of obesity and Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in the last 25 years, the goal of Kids N Fitness is to reduce risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome in overweight youth through a family-oriented lifestyle intervention.
These positive health outcomes indicate that a family-centered lifestyle intervention can improve metabolic health among youth.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Maternal, Fetal & Infant Health, Families
The initiative's mission is to provide parenting education to new parents throughout California.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Domestic Violence & Abuse, Children, Teens, Women, Urban
The mission of La Casa de las Madres is to help victims of domestic violence.
Filed under Good Idea, Economy / Income, Women, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
The mission of La Cocina is to cultivate low-income food entrepreneurs as they formalize and grow their businesses by providing affordable commercial kitchen space, industry-specific technical assistance, and access to market opportunities.
La Cocina supports dozens of successful food businesses run by low-income women and people from immigrant communities.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Community & Business Resources, Children, Urban
Larkin Street Youth Service's mission is "to create a continuum of services that inspires youth to move beyond the streets. We will nurture potential, promote dignity, and support bold steps for all." HIRE UP's mission is: "to provide homeless and runaway youth with an educational foundation and marketable skill set that will greatly increase their chances of progressing into an independent, productive adulthood."