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 Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Physical Activity, Women
Goal: The Illinois WISEWOMAN program (IWP) aims to lower heart disease and other chronic disease risk factors through screening and lifestyle classes for women in high-risk populations in service counties throughout Illinois.
Impact: The Illinois WISEWOMAN Program addresses the disproportionate risk of cardiovascular disease among disadvantaged, low-income women. Participation in the program has been shown to improve dietary, physical activity and cardiovascular outcomes.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes, Children, Teens, Adults, Urban
Goal: The goal of the Illumination Foundation is to bridge the gaps in existing services for the most underserved to break or prevent the cycle of homelessness in Orange County.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Goal: Addressing environmental issues on a watershed basis requires the cooperation and participation of many different people. This initiative aims to facilitate partnerships between state agencies, NGOs and civil society in order to yield better environmental results.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes, Families
Goal: Interfaith Housing Alliance strengthens families, builds communities and promotes human dignity and economic justice by providing decent, affordable housing for those with lower incomes. Through education, advocacy and the creation of new jobs, they foster economic growth and overcome the effects of shelter poverty.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes, Children, Adults, Families, Urban
Goal: Isles' mission is to foster more self-reliant families in healthy, sustainable communities.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Education / Literacy, Children
Goal: The goal of Itchy's Alphabet is to help children improve their literacy levels.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Education / Educational Attainment, Children
Goal: As a national, primarily residential training program, Job Corps' mission is to attract eligible young adults, teach them the skills they need to become employable and independent, and place them in meaningful jobs or further education.
Impact: Evaluations showed that Job Corps substantially increased the education and training that program participants received. Nearly 90% of the program group engaged in some education or training (both in and out of Job Corps), compared with about 64% of the control group.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Health Care Access & Quality
Goal: The John Hopkins Community Health Partnership's (J-CHiP) goal is to improve care coordination with Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
Impact: The John Hopkins Community Health Partnership participants saw lower spending and improved health outcomes in regards to hospital admissions, re-admissions, and emergency department visits.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Investment & Personal Finance, Children
Goal: The IDA program is designed to help young people enter the financial mainstream, gain financial stability and build assets.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Childcare & Early Childhood Education, Children
Goal: The goal of the Jumpstart program is to build language and social skills in preschool children by providing one-on-one mentoring with college students throughout the school year.