The Promise Neighborhoods Initiative is a Federal place-based strategy from President Obama managed through the Department of Education for comprehensive neighborhood programs that are designed to combat the effects of poverty and improve education and life outcomes for children, from birth through college.

The Promise Neighborhoods Initiative would provide competitive 1-year planning grants to non-profit community-based organizations to support the development of plans for comprehensive neighborhood programs (modeled after the Harlem Children's Zone).

The core idea behind the The Promise Neighborhoods Initiative is that by providing effective schools and strong systems of support to children and youth in poverty (meeting their health, social service, and educational needs), children will have the best opportunity for a better life.

Grantees that develop promising plans and partnerships will be eligible to receive implementation grants the following year. The Department of Education will encourage grantees to coordinate their efforts with programs and services provided by other Federal agencies such as; the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Justice, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The following is a source for documents related to the Promise Neighborhoods: