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 / Oral Health, Children, Families, Rural
Goal: The goal of Saving Smiles is to improve the oral health and in turn overall health of children in Lafayette County, especially for the poor and underserved.
Impact: Most students from the 11 participating schools in Lafayette County received a screening, fluoride varnish, and oral health education, and most of the children referred for dental care were seen by a dentist.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / School Environment, Children, Teens
Goal: This program's primary goals are to teach young people about emotions, including anger and aggression, and to help them recognize alternatives to violent behavior and aggressive responses.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / School Environment, Children, Teens, Urban
Goal: The goal of this program is to reduce violent tendencies among youth through civic education.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Families, Urban
Goal: The goal of Shape Up Somerville is to prevent obesity through a community-based environmental change intervention.
Impact: Through multi-level social interventions (community, school, family) intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and screen time can decrease among children.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Childcare & Early Childhood Education, Children
Goal: The program’s goal is to help young children learn the social and emotional skills necessary for school readiness and success.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / School Environment, Children, Teens
Goal: The mission of the Sponsor-A-Mind® program is to supply underprivileged school children and classrooms in less affluent neighborhoods with the basic materials needed to exist and thrive in education.
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 Effective Practice, Community / Crime & Crime Prevention, Children, Teens
Goal: The mission of Students Against Violence Everywhere is to decrease violence in schools and communities by promoting meaningful student involvement, education and service opportunities.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Educational Attainment, Teens, Urban
Goal: The mission of Summer Search is to find resilient low-income high school students and inspire them to become responsible and altruistic leaders by providing year-round mentoring, life-changing summer experiences, college advising, and a lasting support network.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health, Teens, Urban
Goal: To enable teens from disadvantaged circumstances to develop healthy behaviors, life skills, and a sense of purpose in order to prevent problem behaviors.
Impact: This program equips teens to better develop healthy behaviors and relationships,
develop life and leadership skills, and achieve educational
success.