In the late 1990s, a handful of states began to fund healthy marriage and relationship (HMR) programs and initiatives intended as a promising new strategy for strengthening families and improving child well-being. The states were soon followed by the federal government, which launched a healthy marriage initiative in 2002. The following questions initially were raised […]
This guide shares what we have learned to date about promising practices in healthy marriage and relationship (HMR) programs, especially those serving low-income and culturally diverse populations. It is intended to be helpful to a variety of audiences, including those who are interested in starting a new program, those already involved in running a program, […]
Been there—the excitement and gratification of feeling like you’ll really and truly make a meaningful impact into the lives of people, in a way that is felt fairly immediately. At the time when I was a state administrator, the idea of anything “marriage” was pretty new, and met with a fair bit of skepticism. What […]
El dinero puede ser la causa número uno de discusiones y frustraciones en la pareja. Esta frustración por causa del dinero se da en las parejas sin importar el tiempo que lleven de noviazgo o de casados. El siguiente material ofrece sugerencias para ayudar a las parejas a manejar la tensión financiera que muchas veces […]
Research indicates that premarital preparation can be an effective strategy in supporting healthy marriage and reducing divorce. To encourage couples to participate in premarital preparation (commonly referred to as premarital counseling or marriage education) some states have created an incentive in state law. This incentive is a reduction in the marriage license fee for couples […]
Healthy marriage policy and programs are the “new kid on the block” in social policy. In the mid-90s several states and communities began to engage in marriage-related reforms and services designed to strengthen marriage and reduce divorce rates. In 2002, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) launched a Healthy Marriage Initiative and began funding […]
When disclosures of domestic violence occur as a result of screening or at any point during participation in a healthy marriage or relationship (HMR) program or activity, an effective response must follow. Screening and assessment for domestic violence by HMR programs has two primary purposes: to ensure that referrals to and participation in marriage and […]
There are many positive reasons for healthy marriage and relationship (HMR) projects and domestic violence programs to work together cooperatively. The directive from federal and state funders for healthy marriage grantees to consult with domestic violence experts is often what initially prompts HMR practitioners to involve domestic violence advocates in program design and implementation. While […]
Since 2002, over 300 healthy marriage and relationship (HMR) programs and initiatives have received funding from federal and state government sources. There is emerging consensus among policy makers, funders and practitioners that responding to domestic violence issues within these programs is extremely important. This is reflected in the federal requirement that all Administration for Children […]