Provide Programmatic Support

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Identifying or appropriating money for programs, initiatives, public awareness or media campaigns are ways for policymakers to directly support healthy marriage. In some cases, these are prevention programs to help couples strengthen their relationship and potentially avoid divorce. There are a variety of possible funding sources including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), grants, social service program waivers, partnering with a university system that trains students to be marriage and family relations professionals, marriage license fees or government appropriations.

Some possibilities to consider include:

  • Appropriate a portion of public funds to pay for marriage education classes offered for free or at reduced cost. The Federal government and some states have used TANF funds. Three of the four TANF goals support marriage and two-parent families. Select states set aside up to 1% of their TANF funds to be used for marriage strengthening purposes. States could also use funds collected through divorce proceedings or marriage licenses to support marriage education programs.

    Research indicates that marriage skills (i.e., teaching things such as communication, conflict resolution, forgiveness, and commitment) can improve relationship stability. Although many psychologists, counselors, and marriage educators may offer these services, they can cost hundreds of dollars. Providing access to these skills for free or at reduced cost allows more couples to learn these skills and prevent divorce.
  • Establish a state-wide campaign to increase public awareness of the benefits of marriage. Creating public awareness regarding the social and individual benefits of marriage may raise the interest and consciousness in the community. This may, in turn, encourage proactive support for an environment of healthy marriage. Supporters believe it helps to create publicly stated goals and priorities that policymakers can reinforce with programming or law changes.

    There has been a culture shift in the role of the institution of marriage. Some people may choose to live together as an alternative to marriage or just not "believe" in marriage. Educating people about the value of marriage can help them make better informed decisions.
  • Create materials, handbooks, or toolkits that offer tips on how to create and sustain healthy marriages. Hard-copy information is an easy and affordable way to communicate practical tips and tools for relationships. In addition to providing skill-based ideas, the information can become a reference for local resources that offer more in-depth assistance (such as counseling or marriage education workshops). If couples can learn skills to manage life’s ups and downs, supporters believe they can strengthen marriages and provide more stable homes in their communities.
  • Appropriate funds to conduct studies or surveys on program effectiveness, attitudes towards marriage, reasons for increases in marriage or divorce, or other issues that correspond to the issues and political climate of your state or locality.

    Without data on program effectiveness, policymakers have no gauge to determine the outcome of their investments in programming. Research studies also help to highlight best practices or deficiencies that can be used to improve the efficiency of spending public dollars on marriage education programs. Surveys on attitudes and other issues can help inform decision makers on program design. For example, learning that couples marry for the first time, on average, at age 22 in your community may encourage policymakers to offer premarital preparation services on college campuses.
  • Appropriate funds to create an information resource center to provide web-based information on issues, services and programs designed to support healthy marriage. Many people trust community- and faith-based providers over government providers. A "resource center" (either physical or online) is a mechanism for providing community members with the tools they need to provide marriage strengthening services. Creating a single point of access for information can expand the range of people that can access information.