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 Good Idea, Health / Adolescent Health, Teens, Urban
Goal: To provide housing to homeless youth aged 18 to 24 and provide comprehensive behavioral health services.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Teens, Adults, Families, Urban
Goal: The goal of the San Francisco Healthy Corner Stores Project is to bring healthy food to neighborhoods with limited access to fresh produce.
Impact: Four stores in San Francisco were converted to sell fresh produce. Legislation was passed in San Francisco that established Healthy Food Retailer Incentives Program to promote healthy food access in corner stores citywide.
Filed under Effective Practice, Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants, Urban
Goal: The goal of this program is to redistribute food waste to food banks, farmers, and compost.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Crime & Crime Prevention, Children, Families, Urban
Goal: The goal of the SafeStart Initiative is to reduce the incidence and impact of violence on children ages 6 and under.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Domestic Violence & Abuse, Adults, Urban
Goal: The goal of San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR) is to provide resources, support, advocacy, and education to support the work of individuals and communities in San Francisco that are responding to or healing from sexual violence.
SF Health Code Article 38: Enhanced Ventilation for Urban Sensitive Use Development (San Francisco, CA)
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Governance, Children, Teens, Adults, Older Adults, Families, Urban
Goal: The purpose of SF Health Code Article 38 is to protect residents from the effects of living in a poor air quality zone by requiring enhanced ventilation in new and renovated residential buildings.
Impact: The City of San Francisco implemented a law requiring enhanced ventilation in new and renovated residential buildings to protect residents from harmful particulate matter.
Filed under Good Idea, Health / Physical Activity, Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Urban
Goal: Shape Up SF aims to reduce health disparities by creating healthy eating and active living environments and improving physical activity and nutrition.
Impact: Shape Up SF implemented Safe Routes to School, Bayview HEAL Zone, PE4SF, Rethink Your Drink, Southeast Food Access (SEFA) Working Group, SEFA Food Guardians, and Walking Challenge, and increased physical activity and access to healthy foods in San Francisco.
Filed under Good Idea, Art & Recreation / Art, Children, Teens, Adults, Older Adults, Urban
Goal: SpeakOut allows individuals to share their personal stories, through song, poetry, and music, and enjoy a sense of camaraderie and love with their listeners.
Filed under Good Idea, Community / Domestic Violence & Abuse, Teens, Urban
Goal: The goal of the program is to provide education, support, and training to middle and high school students in San Francisco on how to address sexual violence.
Filed under Effective Practice, Education / Educational Attainment, Teens, Urban
Goal: The mission of Summer Search is to find resilient low-income high school students and inspire them to become responsible and altruistic leaders by providing year-round mentoring, life-changing summer experiences, college advising, and a lasting support network.