Marriage Education Funding - 11/21/08

[Smartmarriages]

- FUNDING FUNK 
- STATE-TANF-MARRIAGE-MONEY SUMMARY (courtesy Gersten/FAMLI):
- FEDERAL MARRIAGE INITIATIVE FUNDING AT RISK
- THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY

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- FUNDING FUNK 

I'm hearing from folks who are worrying (obsessing) about whether the
federal marriage money will disappear - be reallocated - and given the
failing economy, wars, etc.. it might just happen.

That's a shame given that it makes such good sense to strengthen marriage as
an upstream prevention program - as we know, marriage is a both a builder
and conservator of wealth and health and so good for child outcomes. And
Marriage Education is such an affordable and obvious solution.  But I guess
it's a case of prove it, or lose it and sometimes it's hard to prove.  See
the GAO report at the end of this post.

BUT, I want to remind you that there are several lights at the end of our
tunnel.  

First, as I said at the San Francisco opening keynote, it's important that
we remember that there was no federal funding for the first decade of Smart
Marriages. Ours has been, from the beginning, a grassroots effort of the
unfunded for the unfunded. The vast majority of marriage educators have
received no funding of any kind but have managed and will continue to carry
on. We're on the ground, we see, smell, feel the results - and we will
continue. We are fueled by our passion and by keeping overhead very low. :)

It's true that it's been very exciting to see what an infusion of $150,000
million a year from the feds could do (and we're all hoping that the feds
can see their way to continue this funding), BUT people across the country
(and around the world) are still sick of marital breakdown and are still
excited when they hear about Marriage Education programs and the chance to
DO something about the mess. The Marriage Education movement has ­ and will
­ continue to expand at the grassroots community and congregational level.
See the Fireproof Marriage Ministry (#117) and the School/Youth Institutes
(#116) as examples: http://www.smartmarriages.com/institutes.html

And, it's contagious - there are increasing numbers of community and
grass-root movements.  I know because I'm trying to find a way to fit them
into the conference program.  There are ongoing efforts like the McManus
Community Marriage Policies; the Black Marriage Day campaign, the Hispanic
Marriage Day campaign; and the Johnson's Marriage Enrichment Weekend
Programs.  There are ambitious new national campaigns like the Bring Back
Marriage Campaign out of WinShape funded by corporate foundations; the
exciting Catholic Bishops Marriage Initiative; and creative regional efforts
like the Families Northwest Marriage Champions Campaign.  There are the
ongoing and expanding efforts in the Army, Air Force, USDA Extension
Services, schools, prisons and results coming in from federally-funded
efforts - the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center and its expanding
service website; the African American and Hispanic Healthy Marriage
Initiatives; and a bunch of federally funded research projects - all of
which inform and improve what we do in the grassroots and also, we hope,
will help the feds continue funding.   And, the growing array of tools and
websites and twitters and just so much - the internet is still our friend
and helps us with our mission at low/no cost: GETTING MARRIAGE INFORMATION
OUT OF THE RESEARCH LABS AND TO THE PUBLIC.  Yes we CAN!

You need to figure out how to tap the private philanthropists, corporations,
and funders in your communities. People want to help - we have to find ways
to invite them in and figure out how to find our own funding.  I STRONGLY
encourage you to listen to these Smart Marriages workshops that offer great
step-by-step advice about how to get proactive about fundraising.  Order or
download at:  http://www.iplaybacksmartmarriages.com/ Or at 800-241-7785

> #758-720
> Private Fundraising 101: Beyond the Feds
> Kay Reed
> Learn the basics for successful fundraising with individuals and foundations:
> who, when, and how to ask. Develop a strategic plan, choose your targets, hone
> your message, create perpetuity.

> #758-818 Marriage Rally: Teach In
> Transforming Communities Grassroots Style
> Julie Baumgardner, MA, Nisa Muhammad, Jim Sheridan, JD, MBA
> Learn what communities across the country are doing to strengthen marriage and
> how you can get started. Brainstorm about opportunities ­ free media, the web,
> funding, volunteers, creating buy-in ­ and how to avoid the stumbling blocks.


AND, there are people like Chris Gersten and his FAMLI organization
spearheading efforts to go after the TANF money, but to get at it through
STATE rather than federal portals.  The original TANF (Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families) legislation made it clear: marriage money can be
allocated through state-by-state TANF set-asides.  Gersten has the KNOW HOW
and he's eager to coach your state coalition to allocate state funding for
Marriage Education.  And, remember, it's our tax dollars - our money.  We
know it would help everyone - struggling families and kids, and taxpayers -
to spend a portion of this money upstream on preventive marriage education.
It's our duty to let our elected officials know about solutions - our duty
as citizens.  Contact Chris!

To see what I mean, listen to Gersten's excellent Smart Marriages
"step-by-step how to do it" workshop - download or on CD at:
http://www.iplaybacksmartmarriages.com/
Or at 800-241-7785  - to learn how to get INSPIRED and get started.

> #757-320 
> Getting State Money: The 1% Solution
> Chris Gersten
> Learn how to access state marriage money ­ how to open doors
> and build relationships with state and federal elected and appointed
> officials.

I also encourage you to plan attend his 1% Solution sessions in ORLANDO.  In
the meantime, here's his note and summary about the TANF State Solution.

> Diane, With all the concern about the direction the new administration will
> take regarding marriage education programs, now is the time to increase
> government support for marriage education at the State level.  The 1% Solution
> Campaign I'm leading through FAMLI has succeeded in winning grants for
> marriage education in 7 states including Texas which appropriated $15 MILLION
> dollars.  Other states to win TANF funding include AL, GA, UT, NM, NC, and
> even New York.   Here are summaries of what these states are doing with the
> funding. Sign-up at (http://www.famli.us)  to help win TANF funding for
> marriage programs in your state.  The future of government support for
> marriage education lies with the State governments. IF we organize.  Please
> send this and the attached summary to your e-list.  Thanks, Chris Gersten


- STATE-TANF-MARRIAGE-MONEY SUMMARY (courtesy Gersten/FAMLI):
 
GEORGIA
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) was given oversight and
implementation charge of the $100,000 of TANF funds designated for Healthy
Marriage Initiative (HMI) efforts allocated in Georgia¹s SFY2008 budget.
The language used by the state was:  To promote marriage as a viable life
style option for low and moderate income Georgians through improved
perceptions, attitudes and skills for developing a healthy marriage.
 
In March of 2008, four non-profit organizations were awarded varying levels
of TANF funding for HMI efforts within specific communities including:
 
Northwest Georgia Marriage Initiative (NWGMI)
Thomasville Family And Marriage Network (TFAM)
Gainesville/Hall County Healthy Marriage Initiative (GHCHMI)
Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG)
 
NWGMI is paying couples $25 to go through the class, and offers free
babysitting and meals.
 
TFAM is using How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk.  At the end of the class a
framed Certificate of Completion is presented to every attendee with a
$10.00 gift certificate to Wal-Mart.

GHCHMI has established an Administrative Procedure Guide for the program
that all their class sites will follow.  They will also utilize (TANF) grant
money for individual sessions.

 LSG has conducted four workshops and have provided education, information
and support services to 80 individuals.
 
The first $100,000 of TANF funds allocation for 2008 budgeting process has
been reauthorized in the 2009 budget.
 
MISSISSIPPI
The $2,000,000 program advocates strong, healthy, lifelong marriages;
promotes the importance of both mothers and fathers in the lives of their
children; and works to prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies. The program
advocates sustaining a healthy marriage when blended families are involved.
Sub-grantees collaborate with community organizations, educational
institutions, and faith-based groups to provide the appropriate skills-based
relationship education and services.

Sub-grantees provide marriage and relationship skills education including:
parenting skills, financial management and conflict resolution for
non-married pregnant women and non-married expectant fathers; pre-marital
education and marriage skills training for engaged couples and for couples
or persons interested in marriage; marriage enhancement and marriage skills
training programs for married couples; divorce reduction programs that teach
relationship skills; and marriage mentoring programs using married couples
as role models and mentors in at-risk communities.

Service delivery includes classes, lectures, workshops, home visits and
support groups. The sub-grantees provide weekly classes and monthly
healthy-marriage workshops and seminars at resource centers located
throughout the State.

This project targets married couples or couples who are interested in
marriage for themselves. This includes newlyweds, second marriages, couples
making the transition to becoming parents and cohabiting couples. Priority
is given to low-income families/individuals (household income at or below
200% of the Federal Poverty Level).
 
NEW YORK
The $125,000 state funds in the April 1 2007 budget were allocated for
marriage and relationship seminars in Brooklyn and Queens, a Hudson Valley
community marriage policy initiative, and television outreach including
Spanish language programs to spread the news about marriage resources in New
York State.  The grant was reauthorized in 2008.
 
TEXAS
The Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) has implemented the
"Twogether in Texas" project.  HB2683 provides $15,000,000 in funding for
healthy marriage initiatives.  The premarital bill, HB2685, waives marriage
license fees for couples who take an 8-hour premarital class that focuses on
communication skills, conflict management skills, and other key elements of
a healthy marriage.

HHSC has funded twelve Regional Intermediaries to ensure that free
premarital education classes are available in each region beginning
September 1st, 2008.  The funding is $950,000 per region for an 18 month
period. Each Regional Intermediary will be engaging premarital educators in
their region using sub-awards as part of the program.
 
Utah
A 1% TANF set-aside was accomplished in 2006, allocating approximately
$750,000.  The Coordinator of the Utah Healthy Marriage Initiative drafted a
five-year proposal for use of the funds and submitted it to the state¹s TANF
director within the Department of Workforce Services.
 
Over the next five years, the funding will be used for projects in the
following areas:  Public Awareness, including a media campaign and Marriage
Week activities; Capacity Building, including the formation of local
coalitions and expanding services, and research.
 
The subgrantee shall use the curriculum selected and Assurance of Domestic
Violence Consultation Proposers must include evidence of a commitment for
consultation with one or more experts on domestic violence prevention or
with domestic violence coalitions in developing activities or materials.
Proposers must describe how the proposed programs or activities will address
issues of domestic violence. Failure to comply with this requirement will
result in a score of "0" under the evaluation criteria, "Approach."
 
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- FEDERAL MARRIAGE INITIATIVE FUNDING AT RISK

Star-Telegram (Ft Worth, Texas)
Nov 15, 2008 
Marriage initiative may be in trouble

In trying to help men become better husbands and fathers, Congress in 2005
provided $150 million for grants from 2006 to 2010. Low-income and minority
men and incarcerated parents are the focus of the effort, overseen by the
Department of Health and Human Services.

But the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Initiative is at risk of
flopping, according to the Government Accountability Office, an oversight
agency. The program lacks "clear, consistent guidance and policy," a recent
GAO report says.

HHS officials need to ensure that the public and private organizations that
receive a chunk of the funding are getting results, the GAO said.

It said HHS should create progress reports and performance indicators to
help identify organizations that are at risk of not meeting performance
goals or not complying with the program¹s requirements. HHS officials have
disputed the findings.

‹ Yamil Berard

Online: GAO report, www.gao.gov/htext/d081002.html:

- THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY

> Why GAO Did This Study:
> 
> Strengthening marriages and relationships in low-income families has
> emerged as a national strategy for enhancing the well-being of
> children. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) appropriated $150
> million in discretionary grants each year from 2006 through 2010 to
> implement the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Initiative.
> To provide insight into how these programs are being implemented and
> monitored, GAO is reporting on (1) how the Department of Health and
> Human Services (HHS) awarded grants and the types of organizations that
> received funding; (2) what activities and services grantees are
> providing, including those for domestic violence victims; (3) how HHS
> monitors and assesses program implementation and use of funds; and (4)
> how program impact is measured. GAO surveyed grantees, interviewed HHS
> staff, reviewed HHS records and policy, and visited several programs.
> 
> What GAO Found: 
> 
> Operating under a deadline that allowed HHS 7 months to award grants,
> HHS shortened its existing process to award Healthy Marriage and
> Responsible Fatherhood grants to public and private organizations.
> During this process, HHS did not fully examine grantees¹ programs as
> described in their applications, including the activities they planned
> to offer, and this created challenges and setbacks for grantees later
> as they implemented their programs. For example, some grantees told us
> that they were informed that certain activities were not permitted
> months into program implementation even though HHS had approved these
> same activities described in their grant applications.
> 
> The Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood programs provide
> similar activities, but their focus and target populations differ.
> Healthy Marriage programs are more likely to provide marriage and
> relationship activities, while Responsible Fatherhood programs are more
> likely to provide parenting skills. Additionally, both programs serve
> low-income and minority groups, but Healthy Marriage grantees are more
> likely to target teenaged youth, and Responsible Fatherhood grantees
> are more likely to target incarcerated parents. Both programs¹ grantees
> reported that they refer domestic violence victims to specialists in
> their communities.
> 
> HHS uses methods that include site visits and progress reports to
> monitor grantees, but it lacks mechanisms to identify and target
> grantees that are not in compliance with grant requirements or are not
> meeting performance goals, and it also lacks clear and consistent
> guidance for performing site monitoring visits. Moreover, HHS¹s ability
> to readily identify which grantees are not in compliance or not meeting
> goals is hindered because it currently lacks uniform performance
> indicators and a computerized management information system that would
> enable HHS to more efficiently track key information on individual
> grantees. HHS told us that it is in the process of developing a
> management information system and has submitted uniform performance
> indicators for review.
> 
> HHS has established a rigorous research agenda to gauge the long-term
> impact of healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood activities on
> diverse, low-income populations. HHS is sponsoring three multiyear
> impact evaluations of the Healthy Marriage program and one of the
> Responsible Fatherhood program.

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