09
Jan
Making Distinctions Among Different Types of Intimate Partner Violence: A Preliminary Guide
In May 2009, the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center (NHMRC) and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) co-sponsored the conference “”Toward a Common Understanding: Domestic Violence Typologies and Implications for Healthy Marriage and Domestic Violence Programs”” at the Airlie Conference Center in Warrenton, Virginia. The conference brought together a diverse set of 35 […]
09
Jan
Alcohol Abuse and Relationships: Implications for Relationship and Marriage Education. Research Brief
Alcohol abuse affects millions of families either directly or indirectly, and the abuse of legal substances is a prominent concern for public health officials throughout the world (Corroa, et al., 2000; World Health Organization [WHO], 2004; WHO, 1997). According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services […]
09
Jan
Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage: What’s the Connection?
Marriage and relationship education (MRE) and responsible fatherhood (RF) programs share the goal of improving the lives of children by strengthening the interpersonal skills of their parents. The origins of these program areas are distinct: MRE began primarily as a way to prepare couples for marriage whereas RF was originally designed to prepare unmarried fathers […]
09
Jan
Selecting Partner Referral Organizations
This tip sheet will provide guidance on 1) what a partner referral organization is, 2) why partner referral organizations are important, and 3) what you should look for in selecting partner referral organizations. (Author abstract)
09
Jan
Engaging African American Men in Healthy Marriage Services
Recruiting and retaining men from any culture in a family services program or entity that has traditionally served women and children can, at best, be considered a token gesture. Admittedly, there are many emotions surrounding the topic of how to get men to do what they are “supposed to do!” Agencies designed to serve men […]
09
Jan
Training Marriage Education Practitioners
Marriage educators are the face of your marriage and relationship education program. Proper training is critical to your program’s success. These individuals must have the knowledge and skills to appropriately respond to questions about the curriculum, identify unhealthy (and potentially violent) relationships, set boundaries, and effectively facilitate and/or present information. This is no small task, […]
09
Jan
Intake and Assessment: An Approach to Serving Couples
There is not consensus among practitioners or researchers as to who is/is not appropriate for MRE. However, most MRE programs are not generally designed to work with highly distressed couples (Retrouvaille is one such program) or those requiring intensive intervention (for issues related to substance abuse, mental health problems, infidelity, etc.). In fact, MRE is […]
09
Jan
When an Incentive Isn’t an Incentive
An incentive, for purposes of this Tip Sheet, means a reward available for participating in a marriage education program. An incentive may have direct value, like a restaurant gift card, or may have an indirect value, like a certificate of completion for a free/reduced marriage license. Incentives can be for each couple, participant or just […]
09
Jan
A Win-Win Partnership: MRE and Child Protective Services
Many social service programs share common goals although they may vary widely by funding stream, service delivery strategy and/or target population. The marriage and relationship education (MRE) field and the child welfare system both strive to strengthen families and improve child outcomes. MRE practitioners may want to consider building partnerships with child protective services (CPS) […]