The National Healthy Marriage Academy, held January 8 and 9 in Arlington, VA, provided an opportunity for representatives from several States to learn more about the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Healthy Marriage Initiative. ACF planned this Academy as an opportunity to answer several questions about the initiative, including:

– What is the Healthy Marriage Initiative?
– What role should the government play in a Healthy Marriage Initiative?
– Why should State governments develop a Healthy Marriage Initiative?
– Who should be the key players in a Healthy Marriage Initiative?
– What are the steps to implement a Healthy Marriage Initiative?
– How does a Healthy Marriage Initiative support a State’s welfare reform agenda?

The Academy afforded States an opportunity to hear presentations from nationally recognized speakers, researchers, and Federal policy makers, as well as from other States with successful Healthy Marriage Initiatives. (Author abstract)