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.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Built Environment, Urban
Goal: Open Road was created to develop programs and environments with and for young people that promote community, independence and self respect. They develop these programs in partnership with neighborhood groups in need of new natural, educational, and recreational environments. These new environments create new bonds between people of all ages, who unite to establish a living community resource.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Social Environment, Families, Urban
Goal: The primary goals of the program are to reduce family risk and enhance family protective factors that predispose children and youth to substance abuse and related social and emotional difficulties.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Good Idea, Economy / Poverty
Goal: The goal is to provide welfare recipients with life skills courses to aid them in their path towards self-sufficiency. Life skills are topics that are often not covered in academic or technical training courses but can be just as important for ensuring a successful and stable lifestyle.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Older Adults, Women, Older Adults
Goal: The goal of Project Healthy Bones is to educate older individuals about osteoporosis and improve strength, balance, and flexibility through strength training exercises.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Crime & Crime Prevention
Goal: The goal or this program is to help those who have been incarcerated find employment.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Civic Engagement, Children
Goal: The goal was for school administrators to coordinate efforts across districts for students to learn about volunteer opportunities and to become youth volunteers, as well as to teach character education and the merits of volunteerism in the elementary schools.
Providing Educational Enrichment for Students Expelled from Traditional School Settings (Indianapolis, IN)
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Student Performance K-12, Children, Teens, Urban
Goal: The goal of the Opportunity School is to provide educational enrichment for middle school (6th - 8th grades) students who have been expelled from standard school settings.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders
Goal: The goals of this program are:
-To provide staff with consultation, clinical support, education and training.
-To provide clients with initial assessment, brief counseling, and access/referral to mental health resources.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Governance, Older Adults, Families
Goal: The goal was to provide flu vaccine to those most at risk while minimizing public alarm and gaining acceptance by employees that the traditionally free flu vaccine would not be available.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Older Adults, Older Adults
Goal: The goal of the program is to reduce medical costs, to prevent premature institutionalization, and to save taxpayers' dollars. Additionally, the program aims to prevent depression among the elderly, reduce daily living activity limitations caused by chronic diseases and lack of exercise, and increase the quality of life among the older adults.