Welcome
The PPN website is a unique resource that offers credible, research-based information on what works to improve the lives of children and families.
Sometimes referred to as a "best practices" site or a "model program" site, PPN is both of those things and much more. In addition to providing information on Programs that Work, PPN also links to additional research information in all areas related to child well-being, including their physical and mental health, academic success, and economic security. These additional resources include Research in Brief, Resources and Tools and Expert Perspectives. To promote successful implementation of best practices and model programs, PPN also screens and posts evidence-based information on effective Service Delivery.
In addition to the breadth of information PPN provides, visitors can rely on PPN to provide information that has met our high standards for scientific credibility, objectivity, and clarity. Learn about our process for reviewing information for inclusion on the site and how to submit a program for consideration.
April 2012 What's New
Newly added to PPN's Programs that Work: Text4Health-Adolescents uses text message technology to increase vaccination coverage in New York City
Text4Health-Adolescents is a text-messaging platform, which sent automated vaccination reminders to parents of adolescents in New York City. Utilizing electronic medical records and a city-wide hospital immunization registry, Text4Health delivered a series of automatic messages to parents of adolescents ages 11-18 who had not yet received standard vaccinations, reminding them of their child's need for meningococcal (MCV4) and/or tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) immunizations. In a four-month study, researchers evaluated the effects of the Text4Health-Adolescents reminders on vaccine receipt and found that the program significantly increased the likelihood that adolescents would receive one or both of the MCV4 and Tdap vaccines.
Read the new Text4Health-Adolescents program summary
National high school graduation rate has increased since 2002
A recent study found that the nation's high school graduation rate increased from 72 percent in 2001 to 75.5 percent in 2009, an increase of 3.5 percentage points. This increase was fueled by 20 states which made gains of 3 or more percentage points. Tennessee and New York made double-digit gains in high school graduation rates of 17.8 percent and 13 percent, respectively. There were, however, ten states which saw declines in their graduation rates, including Nevada (-15.6), Connecticut (-4.3), New Mexico (-2.6), Arizona (-2.2), California (-1.7), Utah (-1.1), Nebraska (-1.0), Arkansas (-0.8), New Jersey (-0.5) and Rhode Island (-0.4).
Read the report at the America's Promise website
Sunscreen use has dropped among U.S. high school students in the last decade
Based upon data from a national survey, a new study found that sunscreen use among high school students declined between 1999 and 2009. In 1999, 34.7 percent of high school students reported sometimes, most of the time, or always using sunscreen when outside for at least an hour. In 2009, this number was 26.5 percent, marking a decline in the rate of use of over eight percentage points. The decline was greatest among white and Hispanic students, and in particular white female students.
Read the abstract at the Journal of Adolescent Health website
Change to PPN website: "Screened Programs" has been renamed "Other Reviewed Programs"
In addition to the unique content on effective programs that PPN creates for our users, we also link to information that has been reviewed by other organizations that use evidence criteria similar to that of PPN. By leveraging content created by other credible organization, PPN makes cost-effective use of scarce resources and encourages a collaborative community of research organizations dedicated to providing information on evidence-based practices. In the past, we have identified those programs reviewed by other credible organizations as "Screened Programs," but we have renamed them "Other Reviewed Programs" in order to avoid confusion with the PPN screening process for our own unique content.
Visit PPN's "Other Reviewed Programs" section Learn more about PPN's evidence criteria
PPN Newsletter
Read the PPN Newsletter for April 2012
The PPN email newsletter features regular content updates to the PPN website, such as new programs and research briefs that have been added.
Read the April newsletter | See previous newsletters
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Awards and Honors
The PPN website has been recognized with the following awards and honors:
Innovations in American Government Awards, Harvard University Kennedy School of Government (Award Finalist 2006)
Child & Family WebGuide, Tufts University
Children NOW Web Award
Adding Wisdom Award, Parent to Parent
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