In 1999, Oklahoma began to consider how state government might play a role in strengthening families and marriages. To achieve their goals, the governor and key leaders first sought support for a statewide marriage initiative. In the first few years of the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative (OMI) various strategies were tested; some worked as anticipated and […]
The Welfare Peer TA Network sponsored a multi-State TA event on July 15-16, 2003, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This event was co-coordinated with Public Strategies, the public relations firm that manages the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative. The Administration for Children and Families’ Region VI, VII and IX Offices provided additional support, ensuring this event met State […]
This paper brings together a body of empirical evidence on how marriage affects the economic well-being of families with children. The paper considers the theoretical reasons marriage might enhance economic well-being, clarifies the empirical questions about the potential roles of marriage, and presents descriptive data and the evidence from empiricalstudies. The review deals with the […]
The decline in marriage and its serious consequences for poverty and inequality are well documented. This paper concentrates on how marriage, cohabitation, single parenthood and the presence of biological parents affect the incomes and material hardships of children. The study uses data from the National Survey of America’s Families to examine: 1) recent changes in […]
This paper examines the effect of marital and family status on the experience of material hardship, using data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). Among the key indicators of hardship are the ability to meet essential expenses, housing conditions, neighborhood problems (including crime, schools, public services), and having enough resources to buy […]
This paper examines the dynamics of marriage and family patterns and their relationship to living standards of a recent cohort of mothers. It is not obvious that married mothers should perform economically better than mothers in cohabitingrelationships or single mothers living with at least one other adult. But marriage is likely to raise living standards […]
The Compassion Capital Fund (CCF), administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), funds intermediary organizations’ capacity building assistance to faith- and community-based organizations. In support of these efforts, HHS commissioned Branch Associates, Inc., in partnership with Abt Associates, Inc., to conduct a study, examining the services […]
This presentation discusses the Special Improvement Project through U.S. DHHS Office of Child Support Enforcement awarded for January – December 2003. The program’s priority was to encourage new ways to approach unwed parents to emphasize the importance of healthy marriage to a child’s well-being.
This document identifies six elements that appear necessary, according to the research, for building capacity for evaluation and accountability. Questions to prompt discussion and reflection among the planning/stakeholder group are followed by suggested strategies to address each element. (Author abstract).
By reading this particular volume in The Intermediary Development Series, intermediary organizations will be equipped with the knowledge and information needed to be able to identify, validate and promote best practices among themselves and the faith-based and community-based organizations they serve.