This resource guide is designed to assist social service programs in developing evidence-based programs. It begins by explaining concepts underpinning evidence-based practice and highlighting the use of practices that have demonstrated efficacy in improving participant outcomes. Evidence-based programming is defined as specific programmatic activities and processes which appear to be related to positive outcomes for program participants. Section 1 of the report focuses on project conceptualization and reviews programming decisions that will have a long term impact on the project. It…
This annual report for 2008-2009 describes the activities and outcomes of the Parents Too Soon (PTS) programs, intensive home visiting programs in Illinois that aim to maximize the abilities of teen parents to care for their children and continue their own development. All PTS programs provide long-term home visiting services (3 to 5 years) to teen parents and their young children using one of three nationally recognized research based models: Healthy Families America, Parents As Teachers, and Nurse Family Partnership model. In addition, 12 of the 22 programs receive supplemental funding to…
The Building Strong Families evaluation is a multisite, random-assignment evaluation of a relationship skills education program for unmarried parents. From Mathematica Policy Research, this report evaluates the impact of a partnership between the Building Strong Families program and the Child Support Division of the Texas Office of the Attorney General. Researchers evaluate the partnership in terms of child support outcomes, including paternity establishment, child support orders, and child support payments.
This brief begins by explaining the federal requirement for land-grant universities to translate university research into public non-credit, tax-supported educational programs and resources, and the mission of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) to advance knowledge and educate citizens in promoting agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and community and economic development. Efforts by CES to support healthy relationships through Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development are described, as well as ways that CES and Marriage and Relationship Education…
This Tip Sheet is for relationship education service providers. It provides information on how to successfully introduce and incorporate marriage and relationship education (MRE) program into a company's EAP. An EAP is a logical partner for MRE programs. EAPs have an established delivery mechanism for reaching employers and their employees. However, most EAPs are not looking for this type of service. EAPs likely will not know about the impact of relational wellness in the workplace. It will be your job to educate them in this area and to recommend your services to them. This tip sheet will…
This guide is intended for practitioners who are familiar with operating an MRE program for Hispanic families and are interested in exploring collaboration with government to expand the reach of their MRE program. It offers concrete strategies on 1) how to identify which areas of government are right for you to partner with and 2) how to develop relationshipswith policymakers. An overview of the key components of this process is highlighted and examples of collaborations with the social servicesystem are provided to illustrate potential areas forhealthy marriage and relationship integration.…
It may seem a difficult task to engage men in marriage and relationship education (MRE) classes. While women may be more willing to talk freely about their relationships in any setting, men may need a little more coaxing. In couple-based services, there are ways to facilitate an open discussion that will help men reveal their thoughts and even their feelings toward children, relationships and marriage. This Tip Sheet provides a few helpful suggestions to engage men in discussions and activities in MRE classes. (Author abstract modified)
Both wages and labor force participation have been declining for young, less-educated men since the mid-1970s. The purpose of this article is to examine how key income-security policy areas--including unemployment insurance, payroll taxes and the Earned Income Tax Credit, and child support enforcement--affect these men. The article concludes with policy recommendations to improve the impact of work-based subsidies on poverty among low-income men. Subsidized jobs in transitional job programs could play a critical role in helping these men access these subsidies. (Author abstract)
Healthy relationships are nonviolent and allow both men and women to express themselves without fear of being belittled, criticized or having their opinion diminished. The field of marriage education has looked to domestic violence experts to discern how to talk with couples about what is/is not healthy and what to watch for that could signal violence in a relationship. Marriage and relationship education (MRE) teaches skills to help change behavior and encourage mutual respect in a relationship. It is intended to address men and women equally. Little is publicly known about male victims of…
This brief defines forgiveness and then explains the difficulties facilitators may encounter when teaching forgiveness in marriage and relationship (MRE) education classes. Strategies that can be shared with couples are listed and include: reflect on your mutual behaviors during the day and focus on actions that are life-giving and kind, spend little time reflecting on mistakes, learn to live without perfection, expect some pain in life, understand that there is little value in holding grudges, slow down the pace of making judgments, focus on your abilities, achievements, and goals as a…
