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, Environmental Health / Built Environment, Urban
Goal: The goal of Just Food is to build a more just food system in which family farmers make a fair profit for their efforts, and all people have access to affordable, healthy food. Just Food envisions a strong regional food system -- incorporating a diversity of rural farms and a robust urban farming component -- that preserves ecosystems, reduces pollution, promotes social justice, provides education about the environment, and invigorates rural and urban economies.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Wellness & Lifestyle
Goal: The goal of this program is to create a connection to nature, gardening and hiking for the Kalihi valley's urban residents.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health, Children, Teens, Adults
Goal: The goal of Keep America Beautiful is to coordinate and empower local communities to prevent litter, reduce waste, and beautify communities.
Filed under Good Idea, Art & Recreation / Libraries & Museums, Families
Goal: This program aims to educate library staff and train workers how to best serve library patrons with autism and their families.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Transportation
Goal: GO Boulder's mission is to develop a sustainable and balanced transportation system supporting the quality of life valued by Boulder's residents, employees, and visitors.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Adolescent Health, Teens
Goal: The goal of the CSHP is to improve learning, performance, and health for students and teachers.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Education / School Environment, Children, Teens, Urban
Goal: The goal of this program is to reduce aggressive behavior among children and adolescents.
Impact: An evaluation found significant, positive program effects on six of the seven variables assessed, including knowledge of psychosocial skills, self-reported aggression, and teacher-reported aggression, with a 41% decrease in aggression-related disciplinary incidents and a 67% reduction in suspensions for violent behavior.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Education / School Environment, Children, Teens
Goal: The goal of this program is to improve the school environment by reducing violence, assaults, discipline referrals, and increasing academic performance.
Impact: An evaluation found that discipline referrals decreased by 57.7%, assaults decreased by 90.2%, and expulsions decreased by 73.0% in participating schools.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Built Environment, Urban
Goal: The Queens Botanical Garden, a living museum serving the most ethnically diverse county in the United States, is committed to presenting collections, education and research initiatives and programs that demonstrate environmental stewardship, promote sustainability and celebrate the rich cultural connections between people and plants.
Filed under Good Idea, Economy / Housing & Homes
Goal: Rebuilding Together's mission is to bring volunteers and communities together for the improvement of the homes and lives of low-income homeowners.