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 Good Idea, Health / Heart Disease & Stroke, Adults, Women, Men, Older Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
Goal: The INC Well's goal is to improve upon the built and social environment to establish a health and wellness supportive presence for those who are taking a proactive role in their quality of life.
Impact: The INC Well created a dedicated space where people can utilize health resources and take their wellness into their own hands.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability, Urban
Goal: The mission of the Interfaith Coalition on Energy (ICE) is to inspire congregations to reduce the costs of operating their facilities in order to create money for community service while practicing environmental stewardship.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Transportation
Goal: The goal of this program is to provide affordable public transportation in central Virginia.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Built Environment
Goal: The mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants, and landscapes.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Goal: TLD's mission is to increase the supply and use of affordable building materials for housing and community improvement by redirecting landfill-bound, reusable materials into productive use.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Governance, Families
Goal: The Memphis Enviromental Court was designed to serve as the chief vehicle for enforcing a wide range of laws relating to the health and quality of life of its residents, and to give new meaning to the term "expedient justice" by its ability to respond in a quick and consistent manner. In 1991 the Tennessee State Legislature created the Shelby County Environmental Court, and expanded the new court's powers to include the "injunctive authority" to mandate that defendants comply with the environmental codes.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Health Care Access & Quality
Goal: The aim of the Montana Model is to provide health care to the 11 percent of the county citizens living below the federal poverty level and the many more living in near poverty, while simultaneously providing a medical clinic with diversity and complexity for family practice residents to obtain enriched training with the public health perspective.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes, Urban
Goal: PHG works to eliminate homelessness and stabilize homeless and very low-income people in housing by preserving, developing and operating safe, decent, affordable housing, and by providing opportunities for homeless and very low-income people to improve their lives.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Alternative Medicine
Goal: The goal of the PanAfrican Acupuncture Project is to train locals in acupuncture techniques so that they can use this alternative healing method in their communities to treat symptoms of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Transportation
Goal: The goal of the Coalition is to give citizens a real choice regarding the mode of transportation they elect for traveling to work, school, or recreaton as well as to encourage healthier lifestyles and a cleaner environment.