Family & Social Support

Research has shown that people with greater social support, less isolation, and greater interpersonal trust live longer and healthier lives. This is exhibited through lower levels of anxiety and depression and reduced tendencies towards stress-related behaviors such as overeating and smoking. Family and social support, or social connectedness, can also reduce the likelihood of other conditions and diseases.

Reviewed family & social support policies and programs are listed below. Click on column headings to sort by category, policy or program, evidence rating, or decision maker. Click on Policy or Program name for more information.

Category ↑↓	Policy or Program ↑↓	Evidence Rating ↑↓	Decision Maker
Category ↑↓	Policy or Program ↑↓	Evidence Rating ↑↓	Businesses & Employers ↑↓	Community Organizations ↑↓	Government ↑↓	Healthcare ↑↓	Individuals ↑↓	Schools ↑↓
Build social capital within communities	Magnolia Project Magnolia Project	2 Some Evidence
Build social capital within communities	Community centers Community centers	2 Some Evidence
Build social capital within communities	Healthy Families America (HFA) Healthy Families America (HFA)	2 Some Evidence
Build social capital within communities	Promote community arts programs Promote community arts programs	2 Some Evidence
Build social capital within communities	Social media & other technologies to increase citizen participation Social media & other technologies to increase citizen participation	3 Expert Opinion
Build social capital within communities	Birthing Project USA Birthing Project USA	3 Expert Opinion
Build social capital within communities	Grocery, housing & utilities cooperatives Grocery, housing & utilities cooperatives	4 Insufficient Evidence
Build social capital within communities	Neighborhood associations Neighborhood associations	4 Insufficient Evidence
Ensure access to housing	Housing First program Housing First program	1 Scientifically Supported
Ensure access to housing	Moving to Opportunity (MTO) Moving to Opportunity (MTO)	1 Scientifically Supported
Ensure access to housing	Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)	1 Scientifically Supported
Ensure access to housing	Service-enriched housing Service-enriched housing	2 Some Evidence
Ensure access to housing	Retrofit housing for elders Retrofit housing for elders	4 Insufficient Evidence
Ensure access to housing	Supportive housing for people with disabilities Supportive housing for people with disabilities	4 Insufficient Evidence
Ensure access to housing	Housing mediation services Housing mediation services	4 Insufficient Evidence
Increase social connectedness among adults/special populations	Activity programs for older adults Activity programs for older adults	1 Scientifically Supported
Increase social connectedness among adults/special populations	Patient advocacy & support groups Patient advocacy & support groups	2 Some Evidence
Increase social connectedness among adults/special populations	Support/training groups for parents Support/training groups for parents	2 Some Evidence
Increase social connectedness among adults/special populations	Intergenerational mentoring Intergenerational mentoring	3 Expert Opinion
Increase social connectedness among adults/special populations	Community leadership training Community leadership training	4 Insufficient Evidence
Increase social connectedness among youth	Outdoor/experiential education and wilderness therapy Outdoor/experiential education and wilderness therapy	1 Scientifically Supported
Increase social connectedness among youth	Integrate service-learning into curriculum Integrate service-learning into curriculum	2 Some Evidence
Increase social connectedness among youth	Youth empowerment programs Youth empowerment programs	2 Some Evidence
Increase social connectedness among youth	Health promoting schools Health promoting schools	2 Some Evidence
Increase social connectedness among youth	Extracurricular activities: social engagement Extracurricular activities: social engagement	3 Expert Opinion
Increase social connectedness among youth	Youth leadership training Youth leadership training	3 Expert Opinion
Increase social connectedness among youth	Community service requirement for high school graduation Community service requirement for high school graduation	4 Insufficient Evidence
Build social capital within families	Early childhood home visitation programs Early childhood home visitation programs	1 Scientifically Supported
Build social capital within families	Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP)	1 Scientifically Supported
Build social capital within families	24/7 Dad 24/7 Dad	2 Some Evidence
Build social capital within families	Programs that support father involvement Programs that support father involvement	2 Some Evidence
Build social capital within families	Nurturing Fathers Program Nurturing Fathers Program	3 Expert Opinion
Build social capital within families	Georgia Fatherhood Program Georgia Fatherhood Program	4 Insufficient Evidence
Build social capital within families	Male Initiative Program Male Initiative Program	4 Insufficient Evidence
Build social capital within families	InsideOut Dad InsideOut Dad	4 Insufficient Evidence
Ensure access to counseling and support	Integrate social services Integrate social services	3 Expert Opinion