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, Health / Physical Activity
Goal: The goal of the Market Bucks program is to encourage shopping at farmers' markets and healthier eating.
Impact: Market Bucks have successfully increased the amount of EBT purchases made at farmers markets and increased fruit and vegetable consumption among participants.
Filed under Good Idea, Economy / Employment, Teens, Adults, Urban
Goal: The goal of MatchBridge is to diversify the future's workforce and reduce poverty by helping youth develop the skills that they need to secure employment.
Filed under Effective Practice, Community / Transportation, Urban
Goal: The goal of this project was to support community revitalization, retain the integrity of an historic district, and provide transportation links to private land development projects.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Economic Climate
Goal: Memphis Fast Forward is the shared vision and unprecedented action plan to create good jobs, a better-educated workforce, a safer community, a healthier citizenry and efficient government in Memphis and Shelby County.
Impact: Major violent and property crime were reduced by 22.8% and 25.5%. The pool of high-potential teacher candidates increased from 21 to 1,800 in one year. More than 15,000 jobs were created. New capital investment of $4.2 billion was generated. Local governments saved more than $75 million.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Disabilities, Children, Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Goal: The goal of BORP’s Minority Outreach Program is to make recreational activities more accessible to disabled minority or immigrant individuals.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Built Environment, Children, Teens, Adults, Families
Goal: The goal of the Mispillion River Greenway is to provide new transportation options for downtown travel and encourage reinvestment in the business district.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Teens, Adults, Women, Men, Older Adults, Families, Urban
Goal: The goal of Mobile CCL is to foster a higher level of client engagement and motivation in the treatment/recovery process.
Impact: As a web-based client portal to care management, Mobile CCL is enabling the integration of behavioral health treatment with primary care.
Filed under Effective Practice, Health / Other Conditions, Adults, Urban
Goal: The goal of ME First/ME After is to address the gap in treatment resources for individuals waiting to be admitted to treatment for substance abuse or who are reintegrating back into the community after treatment by supporting motivation for change, increasing wellness and decreasing recidivism.
Impact: Over 200 clients participated in the ME First program in 2013. Approximately 80% of these clients completed the program and entered treatment for substance abuse with increased motivation for change.
Filed under Good Idea, Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability
Goal: The goal of Performance Track is to recognize and encourage top environmental performance among private and public facilities, which go beyond compliance with regulatory requirements to achieve environmental excellence.
Filed under Effective Practice, Economy / Economic Climate, Urban
Goal: The goal of this program is to promote investments in underserved urban neighborhoods.