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, Economy / Housing & Homes
Goal: CCLF's vision is to work creatively with their clients to help them rejuvenate neighborhoods and improve the lives of low-wealth individuals and families who live in those communities.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Crime & Crime Prevention, Children, Urban
Goal: The goal of the Child Safety Awareness Program is to provide children with information and skills to help them deal with dangerous and abusive situations.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Social Environment, Children
Goal: The training provides an opportunity for teachers to (1) explore their own sexual and abuse-related issues and opinions; (2) determine and build upon their knowledge of the symptoms of abuse; and (3) understand their legal and ethical responsibilities as teachers.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Student Performance K-12, Children, Urban
Goal: The goals of this program are to provide a stable learning environment that will promote scholastic development, to enhance parent-child relationships, and to prevent delinquency.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Social Environment, Children
Goal: The program's five main goals are to (1) foster a safe, supportive group environment; (2) facilitate the identification and expression of divorce-related feelings; (3) promote understanding of divorce-related concepts and clarify misconceptions; (4) teach effective coping and interpersonal skills; and (5) enhance positive perceptions of self and family.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Crime & Crime Prevention, Children, Families, Urban
Goal: The goal of the initiative was to address poor attendance and other problems within families of identified chronic elementary school truants who missed 20 percent or more of school days within a 6-week period.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Civic Engagement, Women, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
Goal: WomanSpirit aims to foster grassroots women's leadership in the St. Louis area by claiming safe community space for women's mutual support and training, gaining access to government funds for women's economic development, and achieving positions in local, regional and national decision-making bodies.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Transportation, Children
Goal: The goal of Clean School Bus USA is to reduce both children's exposure to diesel exhaust and the amount of air pollution created by diesel school buses.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Children, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
Goal: The goal of Club HERO is encourage feelings of support at home and school and increase knowledge about the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs to prevent youths' drug use.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Children
Goal: Coaching Corps works to improve the health, educational, and social outcomes for children living in low-income neighborhoods by increasing access to high-quality sports activities.
Impact: Coaching Corps works to improve the physical, emotional and social health of girls and boys growing up in poverty and communities of color by mentoring through sports. To date, 3,000 volunteer coaches have "changed the game" for more than 30,000 children.