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.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Children's Health, Children
Goal: The goal of the Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma is to improve asthma care for those at greatest risk through education, outreach, and advocacy.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Student Performance K-12, Children, Urban
Goal: By providing programs for students and adults in the areas of literacy, the visual and performing arts, and service learning, NSCC's goals include improving students' performance in school and encouraging parents to become more involved.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Crime & Crime Prevention, Teens, Urban
Goal: The goal of this program is to reduce Philadelphia's homicide rate and put violent youthful offenders on the path toward a productive majority.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Health / Children's Health, Children, Teens
Goal: The goal of this program is to enhance the resiliency of children in order to promote positive development and prevent them from engaging in high-risk behaviors such as substance use, early sexual activity, or violence.
Impact: Studies of the program showed that participants' reactions to situations involving drug use and their attitudes toward school, the future, and elders were significantly better than those without the intervention. Students in the program also had fewer days absent from school than nonparticipants.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Employment, Adults
Goal: The initiative's goal was to help young noncustodial fathers increase their employment and earnings, become more involved in their children's lives, and increase their financial support of their children.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Student Performance K-12, Children, Teens
Goal: The goal of this initiative is to promote the development of young people through after-school programs.
Transcendental Meditation Stress Reduction Intervention for Congestive Heart Failure (Philadelphia, PA)
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Heart Disease & Stroke, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Goal: The goal of the intervention is to use meditation to improve health and reduce the risk of heart failure among older African Americans with congestive heart failure.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Community / Domestic Violence & Abuse, Women
Goal: The goal of this clinic-based and counseling intervention is to reduce Intimate Partner Violence by encouraging behaviors that promote safety for women.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Evidence-Based Practice, Education / Childcare & Early Childhood Education, Families
Goal: The mission of this program is to provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.
Impact: The Parents as Teachers (PAT) program had no effect on improving child or parent outcomes.
Note: This practice has been Archived.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Physical Activity, Children, Teens, Adults
Goal: The goal of Hearts N’ Parks was to reduce obesity and the risk of heart disease among Americans by encouraging them to aim for a healthy weight, follow a healthy eating plan, and engage in regular physical activity.