In September, 2007 IDEALS began to provide free technical assistance via email and bridgeline to projects, programs, and individuals who use MML materials.  In the fall a series of bridgeline calls provided follow-up training and support.  IDEALS also receives 20 or emails or calls a week asking for support or technical assistance.  We do our best to answer all these queries.

However, our final bridgeline call in December convinced us that TA and consulting which focus JUST on how to teach MML materials  is missing many primary needs.  Most questions and most enthusiasm seems to center on HOW do you get people to the program, HOW do you manage volunteers and logistics, HOW do you do pre-tests and post-tests, HOW do you work with churches, agencies, therapists, and marriage initiatives.

There is a bit of a problem because at IDEALS we are curriculum developers and therapists.  We don’t always know the strategies that work the best.  Widespread marriage education is on the cutting edge.  Nobody knows as much as they want to about these matters.

However, among our projects, Trainers of Leaders, our own staff, AFREM members, and volunteers there is a Wealth of Knowledge.  Beginning in March, 2008 we will have monthly bridgeline calls which will be recorded and put in both print and audio format on our website, so those who work with IDEALS programs will have access to collected wisdom in the field.

Topics will be listed in Events by mid-February.

All of these services are free to those who purchase MML materials or who attend MML or therapy trainings.

In addition, IDEALS offers both telephone and on-site consulting to programs using MML.  For information about fees, personnel, and scheduling, contact Mary Ortwein at mary@skillswork.org