Healthy Marriage

There are at least two characteristics that all healthy marriages have in common. First, they are mutually enriching, and second, both spouses have a deep respect for each other. It is a mutually satisfying relationship that is beneficial to the husband, wife, and children (if present). It is a relationship that is committed to ongoing growth, the use of effective communication skills and the use of successful conflict management skills.

ACF Healthy Marriage Initiative website

Picture of a father, mother and two children.


Building Strong Families (BSF) The purpose of this project is to evaluate healthy marriage services for romantically involved low-income, unwed parents around the time of the birth of a child.		Community Healthy Marriage Initiative (CHMI) The purpose of this project is to evaluate broad-based community-level coalitions that help couples, who choose marriage for themselves, to develop the skills and knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages.

Supporting Healthy Marriages (SHM) The purpose of this project is to inform program operators and policymakers of the most effective ways to help couples to strengthen and maintain their marriages.		Other ACF Healthy Marriage Projects Link to the Heathly Funding Opportunities page that connects to current projects across multiple ACF agencies and past funding announcements.

The National Healthy Marriage Resource Center A national resource and clearinghouse for information and research relating to healthy marriages supported by ACF.		Web-Based Program Planning for Healthy Marriages Grants Provided here are web sites of organizations that are active in promoting programs that strengthen the family.

Domestice Violence Resources Violence and abuse affect all kinds of people every day. It doesn't matter what race or culture you come from, how much money you have, or if you have a disability. It is most common among women between ages 15 and 54, but it can happen at any age. Learn more about how to know the signs of violence and abuse. Learn how to stay safe. If you are being abused or have a loved one who is abused, or think there is abuse, get help as soon as you can. Remember abuse can be physical, mental, and emotional.		Marriage and Fatherhood Funding Opportunities Promoting Responsible Fatherhood. Closes July 3, 2006 Healthy Marriage Demonstration. Closes June 30, 2006 Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage Research Initiative. Closes July 17, 2006 CSBG T&TA Promoting Healthy Marriages. Closes July 17, 2006 National Healthy Marriage Resource Center. Closes June 30, 2006

The Healthy Marriage Initiative Research Web Page This web page on the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) website includes information about government-sponsored research, other research and aditional information concerning marriage.		Projects & Reports Projects and reports on topics of interest.

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