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 / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases, Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
The goal of VOICES/VOCES is to increase condom use and prevent new STD infections.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Environmental Justice, Children, Adults, Urban
The goals of the West Harlem Waterfront Park Program are to bridge green spaces along the Hudson River and enhance waterfront access, economic development, and regional transportation alternatives in the West Harlem community.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes, Urban
The mission of this project is to improve the safety and living conditions for residents of Boyle Heights and to empower those residents to make positive changes in their communitites and their lives.
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 Good Idea, Community / Social Environment, Children, Teens, Adults, Families, Urban
The Janice Mirikitani Family, Youth and Childcare Center provides award winning childcare, after-school programs, and parenting resources to low-income and homeless families.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Crime & Crime Prevention, Teens, Urban
The goal of the Juvenile Intervention and Prevention Program is to help at-risk youth who reside in gang-ridden neighborhoods experience success in school, at home, and in the community.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Student Performance K-12, Children
These programs aim to improve both academic and interpersonal skills in elementary school aged children.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Teens
Media-Smart Youth aims to stimulate youth to think about physical activity and nutrition by developing an awareness of the link between media and health.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes, Adults, Urban
The goal of Pathways to Housing, Inc. is to provide independent housing, treatment services for physical and mental health, and employment to mentally ill individuals who are chronically homeless.
Pathways to Housing has received numerous awards for its projects in New York City, Philadelphia, and D.C. In addition to achieving large effects in terms of housing outcomes, compared with standard care in the community, Housing First also improves community functioning and quality of life.
Peers Reaching Out and Modeling Intervention Strategies (PROMISE) (Texas, Colorado, California, New York, Washington)
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases, Urban
The goal of Community PROMISE is to encourage HIV prevention practices.
PROMISE leads to significant community-wide progress toward consistent HIV risk reduction.