Promoting the Adoption and Use of Best Practices

What is a best practice? A best practice is: Measurable Notably successful Replicable A good fit for your circumstances

Why promote the adoption and use of best practices? Using a recognized best practice makes it easier to justify the work. Using recognized best practices can bolster the credibility of an organization. Using best practices can make it easier to get funding. Using a best practice removes a lot of the guesswork from planning. The originators of the practice are known, and might be available to consult on how to best implement it. We know that best practices work.

When should you promote the adoption and use of best practices? When a new intervention or program is starting up. When what’s being done isn’t working. When there’s a serious community problem that has to be tackled. When the community demands it. When funders or officials demand it.

Who should be involved in promoting the adoption and use of best practices? Practitioners – health and human service workers, community developers, etc. Members of the population that will participate in or benefit from the best practices in question. Those who’ll be indirectly affected by the program. Interested community members. Local and, if appropriate, state officials.

Where do you find best practices? On the Internet. By networking. In libraries. Through national advocacy and professional organizations and their journals. Through international, state, and federal agencies. Through foundations and other funders. In academia. Through community word of mouth.

How do you promote the adoption and use of best practices? Define your issue, needs, and goals clearly, so that you can determine exactly what kind of best practice you’re seeking. Search for appropriate best practices. Promote the use and implementation of best practices by: Mobilizing community opinion. Alerting funders to best practice possibilities. Bringing some of the people who originated or who use appropriate practices together with people in your community.

Suggesting that, rather than substituting a best practice for what it is already doing, an organization or group simply add it, or try it out. Ensuring that anyone involved in trying to replicate a best practice is provided with the training to make it successful. Providing those who’ll implement best practices with the necessary support and resources. Continuing to make the best better, and maintaining the community’s commitment to best practices.