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"Who We Are: The UHI serves as an interface between Johns Hopkins and the Baltimore community in which it resides. The UHI was established in 2000 by Dr. William Brody, president of the University, in response to a recommendation from the Urban Health Council - a group of community residents, clergy, local leaders, business representatives, city officials, and faculty, staff, and students from the Johns Hopkins Institutions (JHI). Together with its community partners, the UHI explores ways that the research, teaching, and clinical expertise of the University can be better harnessed for the benefit of the residents of East Baltimore; Mission: To serve as a catalyst that brings together the resources of Johns Hopkins Institutions with the City of Baltimore, and especially East Baltimore to improve the community's health and well-being, and in so doing serve as a model of community-university collaboration regionally and nationally."

"The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) provides knowledge to trusted professionals who, with their credibility, amplify messages to national audiences to solve everyday environmental problems. Together, we generate lasting positive change. History: Chartered by Congress in 1990 to advance environmental knowledge and action, our ultimate goal is to activate environmentally responsible behavior in the general public. The National Environmental Education Act of 1990 established the National Environmental Education Foundation as a complementary organization to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), extending its ability to foster environmental literacy in all segments of the American public as well as leveraging private funds that EPA, as a federal agency, could not access. In the almost two decades since then, the annual appropriation we receive from the EPA's Office of Environmental Education has enabled us to tap millions more in private and other governmental funding. The strong relationship we've built with the EPA has allowed us to multiply our resources and deliver innovative education programs which encourage environmentally responsible behavior. Our strategy is to reach the public through a powerful network of trusted professionals who can help Americans make everyday choices for a healthy life and healthy environment. Working with a network of health professionals, weathercasters, land managers and teachers our programs reach hundreds of thousands of households and translate in to direct actions, saving millions of dollars as well as reducing energy use, protecting nature, and improving the health of thousands of children."

The Promising Practices Network (PPN) is a group of individuals and organizations who are dedicated to providing quality evidence-based information about what works to improve the lives of children, families, and communities. Who runs PPN? This project is operated by the RAND Corporation, the nation's original "think tank." RAND is a nonprofit research organization providing objective analysis and effective solutions that address challenges facing the public and private sectors around the world. Long recognized as one of the world's premier research organizations, RAND produces work of enduring value-research and analysis that is prized and respected for its quality, innovation, comprehensiveness, and objectivity. The wide dissemination of its findings is an equally important part of RAND's mission: research must be readily accessible to policymakers if it is to have impact on the public good. RAND brings to PPN extensive experience in the child policy arena, with more than 150 researchers and consultants working in areas such as child health, juvenile justice, education, child care, labor, and demographics. RAND's analysis has shaped public policy on a range of problems facing young people, including prenatal health, substance abuse, firearms violence, and early childhood interventions.

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.

Founded in 1998, Quantum develops artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring, assessment and professional development software for K-12, higher education, distance learning and adult education. Our software is designed to be affordable and accessible to all students, including those with special needs. Quantum is the only AI company capable of integrating cutting-edge technology for textbook publishers, educational software providers or distance learning organizations. For the first time, the production costs and long lead times associated with content development and manual coding are eliminated. Not only do our partners experience tremendous production savings, they can offer uniquely-integrated AI learning products scientifically proven to increase test scores by as much as 50%. A "technology think tank", Quantum has leveraged over $8.5 million in federal research funding for new product development for its partners with support from the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. As a result of its revolutionary work in AI technology, Quantum was awarded the national Tibbitts Award, the highest recognition given by the federal government for exceptional small business achievement in leading-edge research, technology innovation and economic impact.

"Our Strategy: The National Urban League employs a five-point approach to provide economic empowerment, educational opportunities and the guarantee of civil rights for African Americans. Education and Youth Empowerment ensures the education of all children by providing access to early childhood literacy, after-care programs and college scholarships. Economic Empowerment invests in the financial literacy and employability of adults through job training, homeownership and entrepreneurship. Health and Quality of Life Empowerment promotes community wellness through a focus on prevention, including fitness, healthy eating and access to affordable healthcare. Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment encourages all people to take an active role to improve quality of life through participation in community service projects and public policy initiatives. Civil Rights and Racial Justice Empowerment guarantees equal participation in all facets of American society through proactive public policies and community-based programs."

"Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people-especially those with the fewest resources-have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett."

"Founded in 1967 at Sweetwater Creek State Park by a group of concerned citizens, the Georgia Conservancy collaborates, advocates and educates to protect Georgia's natural environment. Through its focus on clean air and water, land conservation, coastal protection, growth management and education, the Georgia Conservancy works to develop solutions to protect Georgia's environment and promote the stewardship of the state's vital natural resources. Called "the state's most influential environmental organization" by Georgia Trend magazine, the Georgia Conservancy, a statewide, nonprofit organization, serves as an advocate for clean air and water through programs such as Mothers & Others for Clean Air and as a founding member of the Georgia Water Coalition (GWC). The Georgia Conservancy, through its work with GWC, was active in the development of a statewide water management plan to ensure Georgia's waters remain clean, abundant and available for all Georgians. Today, the water program continues as the Georgia Conservancy works to influence and track the state's water conservation implementation plan as part of the statewide water plan, which passed by the state legislature in 2008. Other recent Georgia Conservancy successes, to name only a few, include: launching the Coastal Georgia Land Conservation Initiative in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Association County Commissioners. The initiative will protect critical coastal lands and promote sustainable land use and development practices through comprehensive mapping, education and technical assistance assembling and facilitating a team of air quality, policy and health experts to revise guidelines on appropriate outdoor activity when air quality is poor securing $250,000 in state funds to assist schools with installing pollution control devices on metro-area school buses. and, in 2008, teaching more than 292 teachers in 18 environmental education workshop

"The Georgia Forestry Association, one of the oldest conservation organizations in the United States, was founded in 1907. At that time, tree farming was a family tradition. Land was passed from generation to generation and with it, a love of the land that became our heritage. Through the years, GFA has worked with landowners in protecting their property rights and adopting sound land management practices to ensure that our forests continue to provide clean air, clean water, soil conservation, wildlife habitat, recreation and products that we all use every day. Georgia's forests are vital to lives of many state residents, from private landowners and foresters to loggers and thousands of others employed by the forestry community. Who better to manage Georgia's forests than the very people who want to see them prosper? The Georgia Forestry Association is committed to protecting our forests and their future. For 100 years, GFA has been the "voice of forestry," working to educate business, environmental and political leaders about responsible forest management practices, reforestation, benefits derived from forestry and landowner rights. In turn, GFA serves as a resource, keeping members informed of legislative and regulatory issues that can affect the long-term health and value of forested land. GFA also provides a diverse resource of technical information that can help you better grow your forestry investment. GFA members can assist in implementing responsible land management practices and offer sound advice on making the most of your resources."

"The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense…" With an annual budget of about $6.06 billion, we are the funding source for approximately 20 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and universities. In many fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing."

"Home Dialysis Central is a one-stop, online source of up-to-date, unbiased information about home dialysis-in all its forms-for people with kidney disease, their families, and the healthcare professionals who provide kidney disease care. Who developed Home Dialysis Central? The Medical Education Institute (MEI) conceived and developed Home Dialysis Central. MEI is a non-profit organization with the mission of helping people with chronic disease learn to manage and improve their health. You may know us through our work with the Life Options program, or on the original DOQI guidelines. We have nearly fifteen years of experience in national program management in the renal community. MEI coordinated the research, design, development, programming, testing, maintenance, and promotion of Home Dialysis Central. Our in-depth knowledge of kidney disease, treatment options, and the patient experience makes us ideally suited to coordinate this initiative. MEI developed two other successful kidney education websites: Kidney School™, an interactive learning center that attracts 11-15,000 visitors per month, and the award-winning Life Options program, with more than 50,000 visitors per month."

"The Institute for Library and Information Literacy Education (ILILE) is federally funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the U.S.Department of Education. ILILE was established to provide local, regional and national leadership in fostering successful collaboration among K-12 teachers and school library media specialists who are concerned with advancing library and information literacy in the PK-12 school curriculum. As part of the 2004 Omnibus Appropriations Act passed January 22, Kent State University received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education for the Institute for Library and Information Literacy Education (ILILE). In addition to this grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Kent State received a $1,975,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in July 2003. U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education recognized the benefit of additional funding for ILILE. "I am pleased to have been able to include federal funding for Kent State University to demonstrate how school librarians and classroom teachers can work together to enrich the curriculum of students. I am hopeful that the demonstration of this collaborative work will be used as a model to enhance the learning environment."-- U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula."

"Discovery Education provides engaging digital resources to schools and homes with the goal of making educators more effective, increasing student achievement, and connecting classrooms and families to a world of learning. Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, LLC the leading global nonfiction media company. The leader in digital video-based learning, Discovery Education produces and distributes high-quality digital resources in easy-to-use formats in all core-curricular subject areas. Discovery Education is committed to creating scientifically proven, standards-based digital resources for teachers, students, and parents that make a positive impact on student learning. Through solutions like Discovery Education streaming, Discovery Education Science, Discovery Education Health and more, Discovery Education helps over one million educators and 35 million students harness the power of broadband and media to connect to a world of learning."

"American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO The American Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, was founded in 1916 and represents nearly 3,000 local affiliates nationwide, 43 state affiliates and more than 1.4 million members. Five divisions within the AFT represent the broad spectrum of the AFT's membership: pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; and nurses and other healthcare professionals. In addition, the AFT represents approximately 80,000 early childhood educators and nearly 250,000 retiree members. The AFT is governed by its elected officers and by delegates to the union's biennial convention, which sets union policy. Elected leaders are Randi Weingarten, president; Antonia Cortese, secretary-treasurer; Lorretta Johnson, executive vice president; and a 39-member executive council. Many well-known Americans have been AFT members, including John Dewey, Albert Einstein, Hubert Humphrey, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, former Senate Majority Leader and Ambassador to Japan Mike Mansfield, former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, and former United Nations Under-Secretary and Nobel Peace Prize winner Ralph Bunche."

"Lumos Labs Lumos Labs is a cognitive neuroscience research and development company that builds software tools for improving brain health and performance. Lumosity is the first general brain fitness program from Lumos Labs. We specialize in creating innovative applications of the latest developments in brain science in order to help people lead better lives. Since its formation in the spring of 2005, Lumos Labs has been consistently focused on researching and developing the most effective cognitive training applications."