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 Local, Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders, Children, Teens, Families, Urban
The mission of Head to Toe is to teach children and their families the skills to manage body weight as they grow by living a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, and a positive self-image.
From August 2011 to May 2016, 485 children and their parents or guardians have enrolled in the Head to Toe program. Head to Toe has effectively increased knowledge of nutrition, physical activity and emotional health among participants.
Filed under Local, Effective Practice, Health / Children's Health, Children, Teens, Families, Urban
The mission of HKES&I is to increase access to needed healthcare for children. This is accomplished through the goal of identifying children who need further follow-up, particularly for hearing and vision problems, and to connect them to those services.
Healthy Kids Express Screening and Immunization program is successful in providing evidence based care to low-income populations and for connecting those identified with screening needs to needed follow-up care.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Cancer, Adults
The goal of this program is to improve colorectal cancer screening rates among older adults.
Participants in the intervention group had significantly higher colorectal cancer screening attendance, as well as having more positive attitudes about screening and placing a higher priority on screening.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Air, Urban
The mission of Greater Boston Breathes Better is to help greater Boston’s citizens and visitors to breathe better.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Health Care Access & Quality, Families, Urban
The goal of the Health Care for the Homeless program is to provide health care for individuals and families who are currently struggling with homelessness.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Housing & Homes, Families
The goal of Housing First is to move families into stable and affordable housing.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders, Adults
The goal of In SHAPE is to utilize personal health mentors in order to improve physical health and quality of life, reduce the risk of preventable diseases, and enhance the life expectancy of individuals with severe mental illnesses.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Employment, Children
MY TURN's mission is to help youth develop goals, skills and confidence needed to transition successfully into post-secondary education or training and the world of work.
Filed under Good Idea, Economy / Employment, Children
The goal of this program is to give Manchester area youth tools to earn their GEDs and meet their career goals.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Community / Social Environment, Children, Teens, Women
New Beginnings promotes resilience in children after parental divorce by providing mothers and their children with group and individual-based sessions.
The New Beginnings program improves post-divorce adjustment outcomes such as interparental conflict, mother-child relationships, and coping strategies by targeting predictive behaviors.