IMPORTANT: MILITARY TRAINING ADDED to Smart Marriages Program

[Smartmarriages]

- MILITARY TRAINING INSTITUTE ADDED to Smart Marriages Program

Due to many requests and persuasive arguments, we're pleased to announce
that we're upgrading Institute #102 to a training and certification to
qualify attendees to serve military couples, singles, and families.
 
The reasoning behind the decision went like this: Demand has never been
greater for programs serving military families. We're still in Iraq and face
wars on many other fronts for years into the future. Military families are
stretched to the limit.  As one of you said in a recent call, these are the
Real Fragile Families and it's disappointing to have nothing in the program
that specifically addresses this need. Note that in this upgraded training
you will still  be fully trained and certified as instructors to use the
whole set of Active Relationship programs with civilians. It's as John Van
Epp said in his Denver keynote - all couples face one or another form of
*deployment* - periods of serious crises and challenge over the course of
their marriage.  If you can work with military families, you can work with
anyone.  Apparently the reverse is not as true. Military folks face special
challenges and issues....on a way too regular basis.

This training will be ideal for those employed in the military, already
working on bases and installations ­ but is definitely NOT limited to them.
National Guard and Reserve families don't live on bases ­ usually not even
near one, yet face all the same challenges and go underserved. There is an
incredible shortage of people trained to serve their needs.  Get trained so
you can offer classes in your community that are either targeted to the
military or that can comfortably and competently welcome and include them.

Kelly Simpson and Active Relationships was the natural program to answer
this call. Her "Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills" is being used in
the Army, National Guard, Reserves, and Air Force in the U.S. and abroad -
to rave reviews. It's easy to understand why the program works - she comes
from a generations of military family (she tells the story of being
*arrested* at age 3 by MPs); her husband is a former JAG; and she has a son
who is now training as a Marine pilot.  She's also spent years working with
military support personnel, advocates, officers, and especially, chaplains.
She combined her professional marriage and family therapy expertise with her
special understanding of the needs of soldiers and their families and with
her insights that a military program has to be sturdy, affordable, practical
and portable. Army issue.

Evaluations say that this curriculum of 24 mix-and-match modules cover all
the key challenges including resilience, PTSD, traumatic brain injury,
emotional expression and regulation, healing infidelity, anger management,
and marriage and family strengthening around deployment, separation, and
reintegration. Evaluations praise the practical mix-and-match module format
- you can pull out the module you need to fit any situation.  The military
also appreciates what one chaplain called the program's *push and play*
format - you can use it whomever shows up - single troops, spouse groups,
members without a partner present, and in pre or post deployment or multiple
deployment conditions.

Another bonus, the institute will be co-taught by Karen Anzak - fluent in
Spanish.  The Active Relationship programs are being used in Hispanic and
Refugee settings across the country.

If you were already registered for the AR institute, don't worry. If for any
reason you want a refund or to switch to a different training, that's not a
problem simply contact the registrar.  BUT I strongly suggest you think of
this as a huge add-on bonus.  You will still be trained and certified in all
the regular €civilian€ Active Relationship programs - simply using military
examples. You won't get bored, that's for sure, and, bring Kleenex - I've
seen the footage.  So in addition to being certified in Active Military Life
and Resiliency Skills you'll also be trained and certified in Active Choices
for pre-marital, Active Marriage, Active Relationships for Young Adults and
Active Adults for Singles, Fathers, and Mothers, etc. etc.  And you still
get lots of materials. See the web for details.

I've posted the new description on the website.  It's still #102. In the
brochure is the old, original version - it's not wrong, but there's just now
much more to it.   Who knows where this training might lead you....

I expect questions.  Please read the new complete description:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/simpson.html

If you still have questions please contact Kelly directly at:
<ksimpson at activerelationships.com>

ALSO, let me point out that almost all of the programs being taught at the
conference can and ARE being used in Military settings - most especially
PREP, HOW TO AVOID MARRING A JERK, MARRIAGE LINKS, FAMILY WELLNESS, COUPLE
COMMUNICATION, etc.  However, this training is 3-days specifically targeted
to this competency.

And, finally, please forward this to anyone you think would be interested in
this training - in adding this credential to their Marriage Educator
repertoire.  

- diane 

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13th Annual Smart Marriages® Conference, The Shingle Creek,
Orlando, Florida, July 6-12, 2009 (General Conference July 8-11)
Pre-Conference Training Institutes July 6-8
Post-Conference Training Institutes July 12
 
Shingle Creek: http://www.rosenshinglecreek.com/

To download a Conference brochure, register online, or for Exhibit
information:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/conferencedetails.html

List your program and resources on the Directory of Classes at
http://www.smartmarriages.com/directory_browse.html

Order conference audio & video CD/DVD/MP3s: 800-241-7785 or
http://www.iPlaybackSmartMarriages.com

Coalition for Marriage, Family and Couples Education, LLC (CMFCE)
Diane Sollee, Director
5310 Belt Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015-1961
http://www.smartmarriages.com
202-362-3332

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