OpenACAI. Local help. Human connection.

Evidence and Research

Browse the public sources behind OpenACAI programs and practical help.

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Search all 26 sources

26 sources in 7 topics.

Social connection and isolation

Connection can matter to health, safety, and following through on everyday needs.

HHS / NCBI Bookshelf, 2023U.S. Surgeon General: Social Connection AdvisoryNational advisory explaining why social connection belongs in health and community planning.CDC, 2024CDC: Social Connectedness Risk FactorsPublic health framing for who is at higher risk of social disconnection.World Health Organization, 2025WHO: Commission on Social ConnectionGlobal report framing loneliness and social connection as public health issues.Administration for Community Living, 2023ACL: Social Isolation and ConnectionPractical federal materials on reducing social isolation, especially in older adult nutrition and community programs.National Academies / NCBI Bookshelf, 2020National Academies: Social Isolation and LonelinessA consensus report on health risks and intervention considerations.Nature / PubMed Central, 2024Social connection as a critical factor for healthRecent research discussion on social connection across mental and physical health outcomes.

Games, play, and mental well-being

Low-pressure play may help some people practice calm, engagement, and connection.

JMIR / PubMed Central, 2017Serious Games and Gamification for Mental HealthReview of how game design has been studied in mental health contexts.Frontiers / PubMed Central, 2021Gaming Your Mental HealthReview discussing potential benefits and cautions around gaming and mental health.JAMA Pediatrics / PubMed, 2024Gamified digital mental health interventions for youthReview of randomized trials showing modest evidence for some gamified youth mental health interventions.JMIR Serious Games, 2024Casual game with mental health contentStudy of a purpose-built casual game that supports cautious, testable game design choices.Frontiers in Psychology, 2018Video Games for Well-Being: Systematic ReviewResearch review on video games and well-being outcomes.

Arts, participation, and health

Creative participation can support belonging, routine, confidence, and communication.

World Health Organization, 2019WHO: Arts and Health Evidence ReviewWorld Health Organization evidence review on arts participation and health.National Endowment for the Arts, currentNational Endowment for the Arts: Arts and HealthFederal arts-health resource area for partners and program designers.

Forms, benefits access, and plain language

Plain language and preparation can make official forms easier to understand and complete.

GSA Office of Evaluation Sciences, 2024GSA OES: Reducing Administrative BurdenFederal evaluation summary on simplifying applications and intake to improve access to benefits.GSA / Digital.gov, currentDigital.gov: Plain LanguageFederal guidance supporting plain language as a better user experience.CDC, 2025CDC: Plain Language Materials and ResourcesPlain-language practices for making health information easier to understand and use.Results for America, currentResults for America: Reducing Obstacles to BenefitsEvidence-focused summary on reducing barriers that keep people from applying for or retaining public benefits.

Digital access and technology help

Digital skills affect whether people can reach forms, accounts, email, uploads, and service portals.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration, currentNTIA: Digital InclusionFederal digital inclusion resources and context for digital literacy work.National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 2022NTIA: Barriers to Closing the Digital DivideFederal data discussion on barriers that still affect internet adoption and digital equity.NTIA / BroadbandUSA, currentBroadbandUSA: Digital Equity Technical AssistanceFederal technical assistance resources for digital equity planning and local coordination.

Crisis safety and referral boundaries

Clear referral language helps people recognize when to use 988 or emergency services.

988 Lifeline, current988 Suicide and Crisis LifelinePublic entry point for calling, texting, chatting, and accessibility information.SAMHSA, currentSAMHSA: 988 Suicide and Crisis LifelineFederal information for professionals, states, territories, tribes, and partners.SAMHSA, currentSAMHSA: 988 Partner ToolkitMessaging and outreach materials for consistent public communication about 988.

Website quality and grant preparation

OpenACAI uses published nonprofit guidance for content, navigation, accessibility, privacy, and performance.

Google for Nonprofits, currentGoogle Ad Grants Website RequirementsGuidance for a high-quality, functional nonprofit website.Google for Nonprofits, currentGoogle Ad Grants Account Compliance GuideAd Grants account requirements such as account structure, conversion tracking, and keyword quality.Google Search Central, currentGoogle People-First Content GuidanceSearch guidance that supports original, useful, visitor-centered pages.

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