09 Jan
  • By timcooper
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Managing a Disruptive Participant in Your Marriage Education Program

The success of a marriage education program is built on having a proven, well-delivered curriculum offered in a setting that promotes safety and respect, and makes each participant feel valued. Even the best curriculum or the most well-designed program can be undermined if the instructors struggle with their command of the material, their presentation style, […]

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09 Jan
  • By timcooper
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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)

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09 Jan
  • By timcooper
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Operational Issues for Marriage Education Programs

For those who are new to workshop delivery, the logistics can demand equal time and preparation. A potential participant’s first impression of your program can be the deciding factor in their involvement. Regardless of how helpful your program may be; neglecting factors like comfort, convenience and environment can negatively impact perceptions of and participation in […]

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09 Jan
  • By timcooper
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Collaborating Within State Government to Support Healthy Relationships: Tips for State Administrators

There is a large spectrum of government services and programs that can be included in healthy marriage programs. The natural and immediate thoughts go to the human services field; however, there are many other areas that offer opportunities for healthy marriage/relationship programs. These include corrections and criminal justice, juvenile justice, health programs (including Medicaid and […]

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09 Jan
  • By timcooper
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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, […]

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09 Jan
  • By timcooper
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A Win-Win Partnership: MRE and Child Support Enforcement

The nation’s Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program is a federal/state/tribal/local partnership to promote family self-sufficiency and child well-being. In most states, approximately half of all child support orders are established and enforced by a federal and state financed child support enforcement entity known as the IV-D program (from Title IV-D of the Social Security Act). […]

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09 Jan
  • By timcooper
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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 […]

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09 Jan
  • By timcooper
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Writing a Press Release for a Healthy Marriage Program

A press release is a common way to promote an upcoming event or share important news. These are especially important tools for publicly funded healthy relationship and marriage programs that may not have a large marketing budget but want to raise community awareness of the services they offer. This Tip Sheet provides a formatting guide […]

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09 Jan
  • By timcooper
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Personal and Professional Boundaries for Marriage Educators

It only takes one visit to many marriage education classes to hear couples sing the praises of the program. Oftentimes, they’re engaged by the ability of the marriage educators to teach a compelling and healing message. But the boundary between the marriage educator and the participant has to remain clear in order for the program […]

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