What is the focus of the promising practices and models?

This section highlights a collection of promising practices and models that have been identified by CPNN members as effective strategies or solutions for improving outcomes in their communities. The practices and models shared are currently being implemented across the network to drive results and enhance collaboration. The goal of this list is to promote knowledge sharing, scaling, and replication across the network, helping communities to identify and adopt strategies that have worked in similar contexts. By learning from one another, network members can continuously refine their efforts, driving greater impact and improve outcomes for children and families.

How are the promising practices and models organized?

The promising practices and models are organized by result area, which include, early childhood education, K-12 education, college and career readiness, community engagement, and physical health. In addition, to being categorized by result area, each practice or model is classified by type, including program or intervention, strategy, training or capacity building opportunity, policy/system change initiative, infrastructure development, research or evaluation, or position. Each practice or model is further categorized by location type, indicating whether the service is delivered in a home-based, community-based, school-based, clinic-based, or remote-based setting. For each practice or model, the section provides a description, highlighting its goals and implementation context, and a primary contact, where available for further information or networking. These categories provide network members with insight into the context in which these practices are implemented, helping to determine the feasibility and adaptability of these approaches for their own initiatives.

What is the evidence base for the promising practices and models highlighted in the toolkit?

The practices and models highlighted in this toolkit were selected not only for their alignment with Promise Neighborhoods goals of comprehensive, cradle-to-career support, but also for their foundation in research or success in local contexts. Each practice is grounded in evidence, whether supported by rigorous, peer-reviewed studies or by local data and evaluation from communities within the network. This combination underscores the commitment to using proven, adaptable strategies that meet the unique needs of diverse communities.

There is no one approach for determining the evidence base on a solution or practice. We have characterized evidence supporting each practice in one of the following three ways:

• Evaluated by the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC): The WWC has developed a standard for assessing whether a study provides “casual evidence” of the effective of a solution or practice. In some cases, WWC assesses the overall evidence base of a practice and develops a “practice guide” that summarizes the level of evidence. If a practice or model has been evaluated by the WWC, we provide the assessment of the evidence level and a direct link to the WWC resource.
• Some evidence base, but not evaluated by WWC: For promising practices that have an evidence base and rationale but have not been evaluated by the WWC or do not have studies that meet the WWC standards, we will reference relevant peer-reviewed literature and other research reports on the practice. We offer the resources as a reference but have not evaluated the quality or rigor of the studies.
• Limited peer reviewed studies or evaluations (emerging practice): In cases where practices lack a broader evidence base, such as locally developed practices that have shown success or newly implemented solutions, we document the local evidence, evaluation or data.

View Promising Practices and Models