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 Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Women's Health, Women, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Goal: The goals of Sister-to-Sister are to eliminate or reduce sex risk behaviors, and to prevent new STD infections.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity
Goal: To promote optimal nutritional and physical health for Sonoma County residents, especially children, by increasing the capacity of residents to make informed and healthy food choices.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Oral Health, Children
Goal: The goal of the Smile Alabama! initiative is to improve oral health services for Medicaid-eligible children.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes
Impact: The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends permanent supportive housing with Housing First (Housing First programs) to promote health equity for people who are experiencing homelessness and have a disabling condition.
Evidence shows Housing First programs decrease homelessness, increase housing stability, and improve quality of life for homeless persons living with disabling conditions, including those with HIV infection. For clients living with HIV infection, these programs also improve clinical indicators and mental health and reduce mortality. Housing First programs also lead to reduced hospitalization and use of emergency departments for homeless persons with disabling conditions, including HIV infection.
The CPSTF finds the economic benefits exceed the intervention cost for Housing First Programs in the United States. Because homelessness is associated with lower income and is more common among racial and ethnic minority populations, Housing First Programs are likely to advance health equity.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Oral Health, Children, Women
Goal: The purpose of the "Something to Smile About" dental program is to improve dental outcomes for children in Garrett County, Maryland.
Filed under Good Idea, Art & Recreation / Art, Children, Teens, Adults, Older Adults, Urban
Goal: SpeakOut allows individuals to share their personal stories, through song, poetry, and music, and enjoy a sense of camaraderie and love with their listeners.
Filed under Good Idea, Economy / Employment, Adults
Goal: Spectrum Vocational Services provides individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities the opportunity to achieve career and personal goals.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Children, Teens
Goal: The goal of SPORT is to help adolescents avoid substance use by increasing physical activity and bettering their self images.
Impact: This program provides a whole body experience, where youth focus on improvements in their lives instead of drugs.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Teens
Goal: To reduce substance abuse and motivate positive behaviors including physical activity in adolescents age 13-17.
Impact: SPORT integrates content targeting alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention with promotion of physical activity and other health enhancing habits in adolescents.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Older Adults, Older Adults
Goal: The goal of this program is to embed a sustainable evidence-based fall prevention program within greater Hartford senior centers by enhancing fall prevention-related knowledge and behavior, while also building or enhancing relationships between senior centers and relevant community and health care organizations.