- COMMUNITY MARRIAGE STRENGTHENING TRACK AT SMART MARRIAGES
> Diane,
> Our community is in great need of marriage strengthening. This will be our
> first conference. We're able to bring a team of three couples from our
> community and would like to focus our resources on building a community
> marriage coalition. We aren't sure what to take.
> - D & E

Key: ACF = Administration for Children and Families; CHMI = Community Healthy Marriage Initiative.

Before I list sessions that are focused on the "how to" of forming community
initiatives, team building, funding, etc, I want to point out that the federally funded
Community Healthy Marriage Initiatives arcoss the country are based
solidly on marriage EDUCATION. Thus the ENTIRE conference is basically a tutorial on
"HOW TO" get yourself equipped and qualified as instructors to teach couples how to
strengthen marriage and prevent family breakdown – on how to turn things around
in your community. Your team of six can certify in dozens of marriage education
programs for dating, premarital, newlyweds, new parents, couples in trouble and on
the brink of divorce, stepfamiies, youth, fathering, parenting, low-income, ethnic. etc.
YOU MUST HAVE PROGRAMS THAT YOU CAN TEACH in order to form a Coalition or
make a change in your community. If six of you fan out and cover the bases, you can
go home prepared to teach a dozen programs to couples at any stage. Be sure to
check out the pre and post conference Training Institutes and the TOOB programs.

So, some of your team MUST focus on training and qualifying/certifying as
instructors in various programs and others of you can focus on the courses listed below
- the "how to" get organized and connected workshops (grant writing, research and evaluation,
marketing, domestic violence guidelines, TANF set-asides, teaching in youth settings, etc.)

You will also be able to network with key ACF staff. There will be ACF representatives
at the conference (meet the representatives from your ACF Region), stop at the ACF Exhibits,
and attend morning roundtables hosted by ACF directors for African American and Hispanic efforts.

And, this national gathering includes thousands of very generous people who will
share with you what has and has not worked in their community. Do not miss the many
NETWORKING opportunities - the Morning Roundtables, the Afternoon Roundtables,
the Community Organizing meetings, the sack lunches - for a scheudle vist:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/roundtables.html

- diane

Also see the Fragile Familes/Low Income; Special Settings; Marketing; Mentoring TRACKS

Each of the sessions listed below will be recorded live at the
12th Annual 2008 Smart Marriages Conference and will available
immediately following the conference on
CD or MP3 at 800-241-7785 or at
http://www.iplaybacksmartmarriages.com

CDs $15.95 each or order 12 or more and they're $12.50 each.
Downloads are $9.95 each (no shipping!)

Keynotes avialable on DVD - $29.95:

INSTITUTES (not recorded)

114 Two Days - Tuesday & Wednesday, July 1 & 2 - NO CEU
Creating Marriage-Saver Congregations & Community Marriage Policies
Mike & Harriet McManus
Learn how to reduce the divorce rate to near zero in your congregation and slash city
divorce rates in half by training Mentor Couples who can put a "safety net" under every marriage
as they prepare couples for life-long marriage, enrich existing marriages,
save 90% of the troubled ones, help the separated to reconcile, and stepfamilies
to be successful. Learn how to create a Community Marriage Policy. $100 spouse discount.
Also plan to attend the Banquet, 6:30pm, Tues night, July 1, co-hosted by Marriage Savers and featuring
Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt: "IMAGO: Couplehood As a Spiritual Path"- $39 per person.
Click for more information:http://www.smartmarriages.com/marriagesavers.html

115 Two Day - Tuesday & Wednesday, July 1 & 2 - half price!
School & Youth Marriage Education Programs
Kay Reed, chair
Essential Disciplines for Teens - Stephen Judah, PhD
CONNECTIONS - Char Kamper, MA
Loving Well - Nancy McLaren, MAT
We have to start with the kids! These research-based, best practice,
developmentally appropriate programs – being taught
across the country – teach students the skills and knowledge that are
central to building and maintaining healthy marriages. Curricula are
easily adapted to classroom, church or community and youth
group settings. Teens encouraged to attend.
Click for more information on half-price discount and full tuition rebate:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/school.html

903 One Day - Sunday, July 6
First Things First: Marketing Marriage Education to the Community
Julie Baumgardner, MS, Rozario Slack, DMin
Implement educational, media-savvy strategies using both paid and free
advertising that will increase participation, change attitudes and behaviors
and reverse the epidemic of family breakdown in your community.
$50 spouse discount. Click for more information:http://www.smartmarriages.com/firstthings.htm

KEYNOTES (Available on DVD, CD, MP3)

P-1 The California Campaign - opening keynote, Wed July 2, 6:30pm
Dennis Stoica, MBA
As California goes, so goes the nation! California has set a goal of reducing its
divorce rate by 15%. Learn the steps it's taking to implement a state-wide Marriage
Education saturation model, to make programs and services accessible throughout the
state, and to carefully track the results. Californians: learn how to get involved.
Everyone else: learn strategies to transform your own state, community, or setting.

P-6 Fri, July 4, 12:45pm
Breaking Through: Tools of the Trade
Julie Baumgardner, MS, CFLE
Instead of jackhammers and chisels, we use jumbotrons and billboards,
PSAs and games, quizzes and surveys, pamphlets and parades – everything under the sun,
to break through into a new era of Smart Marriages and Happy Families.
and
The Couple Checkup
David Olson, PhD
People get a dental checkup annually and get the oil changed on their
car every 3,000 miles, but almost never get a checkup on their marriage.
The Couple Checkup helps couples identify their strengths and growth
areas and primes them to attend marriage education programs.

---

WORKSHOPS (Available on CD or MP3)

217
Strengthening Marriage in the Black Community
Diann Dawson, JD, MSW, Nisa Muhammad,
La Grande Mason, PhD, MBA, Charles Lee-Johnson, MSW
Black Marriage Day, community leadership, getting denominations
and organizations on board, fatherhood, kids, special curricula
– brainstorm ideas for revitalizing Black marriages.

218
Sliding vs Deciding: Within My Reach
Scott Stanley, PhD, Marline Pearson, MA, Natalie Jenkins
Relationship education can be tailored to teach individuals,
not couples, how to improve their odds of having healthy
relationships and marriage. For TANF, military, tech college,
and correctional settings.

219
PAIRS: For Our Future/For Our Family
Andrew Daire, PhD, Matthew Munyon, MS, Seth Eisenberg
Three key tools (Relationship Road Map, Daily Temperature
Reading, Good Will Umbrella) in this 12-session course teach
low income couples skills to communicate, problem solve,
and build trust and commitment.

220
Changing the World Through Marriage Ministries
Dennis Stoica, MBA
Learn how and why Marriage Ministries are the most effective
action churches can take to make a positive impact on the world.
Don’t just preach love, teach it! Includes a roadmap to success.

611
Teaching Marriage to Undergrads
Arthur Nielsen, MD, Dennis Lowe, PhD,
Emily Scott-Lowe, PhD, Frank Fincham, PhD
Learn to make marriage courses interesting and meaningful
in the lives and future marriages of students as well as offer
innovative campus-wide endeavors including involving
students as educators.

614
Community Marriage Policies (CMPs)
Mike and Harriet McManus
Learn how to organize a CMP in your area by creating Marriage Savers
Congregations that train Mentor Couples to drastically reduce
divorce and cohabitation rates, and increase marriage rates.

618
Domestic Violence: Keep It Safe
Kay Bradford, PhD, Jason Whiting, PhD, Erik Carlton, MS
Learn to develop an effective DV protocol for any
marriage education setting. Includes screening, safety planning,
gender/culture sensitivity, and development of referral
sources. Sample protocol provided.

619
Skills 101
Ron Deal, MMFT
It’s not just what you teach, but how you teach it
that creates behavioral change. Learn a whole new tool
bag full of fun, engaging techniques to improve your
effectiveness as a marriage & family educator.

620
Grant Writing 101
Dennis Stoica, MBA
Understand the fine points of grant writing in order
to qualify for government and private foundation marriage money.
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.

---

The sessions below were recorded live at the
11th Annual 2007 Smart Marriages Conference and are available
on CD or MP3 at 800-241-7785 or at
http://www.iplaybacksmartmarriages.com

CDs $15 each or order 12 or more and they're $12.50 each.
Downloads are $9.95 each (no shipping!)
Keynotes are available on DVD - $29.95.

757-320 (This one is repeated annualy, but we suggest you listen to past
recordings to get all the background you can)
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.

757-419
Oklahoma Update
Scott Stanley, PhD, Mary Myrick, Kendy Cox,
Lessons from a state-wide TANF-funded initiative to strengthen
marriage with a focus on volunteer training models and programs
for schools, prisons, low-income single parents and child-bearing couples

757-420
It’s All About Teamwork
Jennifer Baker, PsyD, MFT, Julie Baumgardner, MA, CFLE
Staff and Board missteps can sink your community marriage ship.
Learn key strategies to recruit, select, manage, and inspire (paid or
volunteer) team members, avoid the pitfalls, and reach your goals.

757-520
Harness the Internet: Marriage Resource Centers
Dennis Stoica, MBA
Learn to build a website for your marriage project or
Community Marriage Resource Center. Increase access to
local marriage programs. Includes FREE templates and instructions.

757-611
Teaching Marriage to Undergrads
Arthur Nielsen, MD, Dennis Lowe, PhD,
Stephen Stacey, MS, Jannette Borst, MS
Learn how to make marriage courses interesting and meaningful
in the lives – and future marriages – of students. Bring your
ideas and curricula to share.

757-612
Partner With Cooperative Extension: Create Capacity
Francesca Adler-Baeder, PhD, Ted Futris, PhD
This vast network of educators and researchers offers free
to low-cost programs and information and obvious partners
for your community, marriage-strengthening, coalition-building efforts.

757-614
Marriage Education for Good Ole Boys
Jennifer Baker, PsyD, MFT
Learn to supplement existing marriage programs with
film clips, Country music, humor and stories to engage
often neglected low-income white couples.

757- 620
Grant Writing 101
Dennis Stoica, MBA
Understand the fine points of grant writing in order to qualify
for government and private foundation marriage money.

757-818
Marriage Rally: Teach In (Repeated annualy, but we suggest you listen to past
recordings to get all the background you can. Each year is different and crammed
with ideas you can use.)
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.

########################

Each of the sessions listed below was recorded live at the
10th Annual 2006 Smart Marriages Conference and is available on
CD or MP3 at 800-241-7785 or at
http://www.iplaybacksmartmarriages.com

CDs $15 each or order 12 or more and they're $12.50 each.
Downloads are $9.95 each.
DVDs are available of the Keynote sessions - $29.95


756-P1 - Keynote (Available on DVD, CD, MP3)
Wade Horn: Marriage and Public Policy
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families/HHS
We've come a long way from asking if there is a role for the federal
government in promoting healthy marriages, to what should the
government do. The President's point-man on marriage will
discuss how the $100 million a year allocated by Congress
will help couples choosing marriage get the tools and skills they
need to form and sustain healthy marriages.

756-P3 - Keynote (Available on DVD, CD, MP3)
Dennis Stoica and Carolyn Curtis: Ready, Set, Go!
California is combining Marriage Education’s “best practices” in a
comprehensive state-wide marriage-strengthening initiative and will, as they
say, hit the ground running. Their initiative will include: Community
Marriage Policies, Resource websites, Local Training of Trainers, Mentor
Couples, "Stadium" Events, marketing & media, evaluation, adaptations for
ethnic groups, grant-writing Boot Camps, out-of-the box programs, and Etc!
Learn how you can duplicate this template in your state, county, or
community.

756-P4 - Keynote (Available on DVD, CD, MP3)
Diann Dawson, Frank Fuentes, Bill Coffin
"ACF Teach In: Nuts, Bolts & $100 Million a Year" - Ask your questions
about creating & funding a Community Marriage Initiative

416
Caring for My Family - MINI
Karen Shirer, PhD, Erika London, MA
This FREE skill-based program helps low-resource,
unmarried expectant and new parents set goals and
assess what’s best for them and their child regarding
marriage or ongoing father involvement.

418
Marketing Chattanooga Style
Julie Baumgardner, MS
Learn strategies that use both paid and free advertising
to get out the message about marriage, fathering and
abstinence and increase participation in community
marriage events and classes.

516
Getting State Money: The 1% Solution
Chris Gersten, Krista Sisterhen, Mary Myrick
Learn how to access state marriage money - how to open
doors and build relationships with state and federal elected
and appointed officials.

717
Ready, Set, Go!
Carolyn Curtis, PhD, Patty Howell, EdM
Starting from scratch, we’ll help you evaluate your
resources and create an action plan for starting an
outrageously good community marriage project in
your city, county or state.

817 – Marriage Rally: Teach In (Repeated annualy, but we suggest you listen to past
recordings to get all the background you can. Each year is different and crammed
with ideas you can use.)
Transforming Communities Grassroots Style
Julie Baumgardner, MA, Nisa Muhammad, Jennifer Baker, PsyD, MFT
Learn what communities across the country are
doing to strengthen marriage and how you can
follow their lead. Brainstorm about opportunities
– free media, the web, funding, volunteers, creating buy-in
- and how to avoid the stumbling blocks.

---

If you're serious about organizing a Community Healthy Marriage Initiative and going after funding, I strongly
encourage you to not only attend the Smart Marriages conference to learn AND NETWORK, but, also, to
listen to the wisdom that has gone before. LISTEN to past sessions and get "in the know" - its a wonderful
tutorial on what has gone before presented by your very generous colleagues 2003-2007: click for listings.


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