Strategies

What Works for Health includes evidence-informed strategies to create communities where everyone can thrive.

86 Strategies
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Attendance interventions for chronically absent students

Support interventions that provide chronically absent students with resources to improve self-esteem, social skills, etc. and address familial and school-related factors that can contribute to poor attendance
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported

Community Conditions

  • Education

Behavioral interventions to prevent HIV and other STIs

Use individual-, group-, and community-level interventions to provide education, support, and training that can affect social norms about HIV and other STIs
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported

Community Conditions

  • Sexual activity

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS)

Match disadvantaged or at-risk youth with volunteer mentors in school or community settings
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence

Community Conditions

  • Safety and social support
  • Education

Bridge programs for hard-to-employ adults

Provide basic skills (e.g., reading, math, writing, English language, or soft skills) and industry-specific training with other supports; also called occupationally contextualized basic education programs
Evidence Rating:
Expert Opinion

Community Conditions

  • Education
  • Income, employment and wealth

Societal Rules

  • Laws and policies

Career & technical education for high school completion

Provide career and technical education (CTE) as an integrated part of an academic curriculum for students, especially those at risk of dropping out of high school; also called vocational training
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported

Community Conditions

  • Education

Career Academies

Establish small learning communities in high schools focused on fields such as health care, finance, technology, communications, or public service
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported

Community Conditions

  • Education

Charter schools

Establish publicly financed schools that are not subject to many of the regulations that govern traditional public schools, such as staffing, curriculum, and budgeting requirements.
Evidence Rating:
Mixed Evidence

Community Conditions

  • Education

Societal Rules

  • Laws and policies

Chicago Child-Parent Centers

Provide preschool education and comprehensive support to families with low incomes, including small classes, student meals, and home visits with referrals for social service support as needed
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported

Community Conditions

  • Education