Healthy Marriage, Strong Families and Child Wellbeing

Healthy marriage and relationship programs are the “new kid on the block” in federal social policy. Yet little is known about whom they serve, what they do and how they are being received by participants. Since 2002 the Administration has invested substantial dollars on research, evaluation and demonstration programs. The Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Act provided $150 million a year for five years to fund healthy marriage ($100 million) and responsible fatherhood programs (up to $50 million).

The National Healthy Marriage Resource Center and the Center on Children and Families at Brookings Institution are cosponsoring a series of three seminars to share the lessons learned to date from research and the experience of over 300 healthy marriage and relationship programs located across the USA serving diverse populations. This series is being held in cooperation with The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, Child Trends, Center for Law and Social Policy and the National Conference of State Legislatures, with financial support from The Annie E. Casey Foundation.

In these seminars, researchers, program administrators and program participants will discuss key lessons learned and share their experiences. There will be a focus on issues and questions that have been of special concern to policymakers including:

• the economic factors that affect couples’ lives (Part I on May 16, Rayburn B318)
• how these programs address domestic violence (Part II on July 18, Reserve Officers Association, One Constitution Ave., NE)
• what adaptations are being made to address racial, ethnic and cultural differences (Part III on September 19, Rayburn B318)

Please RSVP — seating is limited.   Contact Angela Parker 202-906-8032, or email [email protected].