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, Education / Childcare & Early Childhood Education, Children, Families
The Doors to Discovery curriculum builds a foundation for literacy by focusing on children's vocabulary and expressive and receptive language skills.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Children, Teens, Adults, Women, Men, Older Adults, Families, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
At DrugRehab.com, our mission is to equip patients and families with the best information, resources and tools to overcome addiction and lead a lifelong recovery.
Filed under Good Idea, Education / School Environment, Children, Teens
The goal of the Edible Schoolyard program is to teach students about gardening, cooking, and healthy eating through the creation and maintenance of an organic garden.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Built Environment, Adults
The Edible Trees Program seeks to increase local access to fruiting trees and provide equitable access to healthy foods.
The Edible Trees Program provides communities access to fruit and nut trees. The program has funded 19 projects resulting in 1,320 trees & shrubs planted.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability, Families
The goal of this program is to reduce energy usage in order to save on energy costs, increase energy reliability, prevent greenhouse gas emissions, and improve national energy security. It is also an essential strategy for reducing natural gas prices and ensuring a balanced energy future in a growing economy.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Health Care Access & Quality, Children, Adults, Families, Urban
The goals of Engage DuPage include improving the health status of self-pay Emergency Department patients, increasing the revenue appropriately owed to hospitals for services rendered, improving the financial assistance processes involving self-pay Emergency Department patients, and reducing the number of avoidable Emergency Department visits among self-pay patients.
By the end of 2014, 57% of all benefit applications that were submitted were approved. In addition, 29% of all interested patients were connected to a primary care provider through a Community Access Specialist.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
The objectives of the program are to educate the public about the contributions that publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities make to clean water; to encourage public support for municipal and industrial efforts in effective wastewater management, biosolids management, and wet weather pollution control; and to recognize communities that go much beyond the minimum needed to meet Clean Water Act requirements.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Children's Health, Children
Tri 4 Schools encourages kids to participate in swimming, biking, and running as a way to live an active lifestyle and support health and fitness resources in schools.
Results of Exercise to Achievement are pending completion of the pilot program.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Heart Disease & Stroke, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
The goal of this program is to use education and exercise improve outcomes for urban African American stroke survivors.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Investment & Personal Finance, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
The goal of this program is to promote financial literacy and encourage home purchasing by Spanish-speaking employees.