Various Mastering the Mysteries of Love Relationship Enhancement (MML) curricula fit well in the recently released RFP’s for Marriage and Fatherhood.
In addition Louise Guerney’s Parenting Skills Program and Mastering the Magic of Play (Filial) program bring the SAME skills taught in Marriage Education classes to parenting. Both the Parenting Skills Program and Filial ARE ALSO research-validated.
Recent Research on MML
California Healthy Marriages Coalition has conscientiously evaluated MML, the traditional RE program, and numerous other marriage education curricula used in CHMC’s current marriage education grant.
In findings presented earlier this month at the NARME Conference in Dallas and in personal communications with IDEALS staff, we are happy to report that:
- Data from research conducted by the California Healthy Marriages Coalition show Relationship Enhancement and Mastering the Mysteries of Love to be two of the four most effective Marriage Education programs taught in California.
- There was significant improvement in marital quality and communication skills from pre to post test, at 30 days, and at 6 months.
- Amount of time spent in class practicing was significant for levels of improvement, with communication, problem solving, couple satisfaction all improving more with additional time spent in class or by phone practicing skills.
- This was especially noticeable for the approximately 1/3 couples who entered the marriage education classes “distressed” or “highly distressed.”
- Generally, levels of improvement were equivalent to the levels of improvement shown in the Penn State research conducted by Dr. Bernard Guerney and his associates. This would indicate that the original research (see Research and Meta-Analytic study ) holds for MML.
- Other curricula which also showed substantial improvement in CHMC’s research were also led by trained facilitators and included substantial practice time.
For more information about each Relationship Enhancement based program, click the title to take you to other parts of this web page with additional description. If you have further questions, contact Mary Ortwein at 859-806-4484.
We would suggest that you:
1. Pick a core marriage-relationship education program that matches the needs of your population.
Mastering the Mysteries of Love Relationship Enhancement--couple program for Allowable Activity III (marriage education, marriage skills, relationship skills programs), Allowable Activity IV (pre-marital education and marriage skills training for engaged couples and for couples interested in marriage, Allowable Activity V (marriage enhancement and marriage skills training for married couples), and Allowable Activity VI (divorce reduction programs that teach relationship skills).
Available in Spanish and Korean, with leader training available in those languages.
Love’s Cradle Core Relationship Enhancement Program–for couples with a young child, especially those with a low SES. For allowable activities III, IV, and V.
Ready for Love Relationship Enhancement for Singles and Solos–for fathers, individuals. For allowable activities, III and IV.
Relationship Enhancement Program–for couples. For allowable activities, III, IV, V, VI. Bernard Guerney’s original RE program, with additions by Rob Scuka. This link will take you to our sister organization site, www.nire.org
Relationship Enhancement for Refugees and Immigrants--for those new to the US. Developed by the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) in conjunction with IDEALS. For allowable activities III, IV, V.
Mastering the Mysteries of Step-families and In-Step–MMS combines the 11 RE skills in MML with information on step-families. In Step provides just the step-family information. In collaboration with Nancy Landrum.
2. Add additional components on finances, marriage, co-parenting, and/or parenting.
Choose one or more of these compatible programs:
Love’s Cradle Special Topics: Trust, Marriage, Finances, and Co-parenting–for individuals or couples. Each 8 hr program builds on the MML or REP skills with group and couple activities to teach content. Originally developed as part of the Love’s Cradle curriculum.
Parenting Skills–for parents, Allowable Activity III.
Magic of Play Parenting–for parents. Allowable Activity III.
The chart below summarizes the programs in terms of Content listed in the recent ACF Request for Proposals.
For a Word file of this document or for information, contact Bill Coffin at billcoffin68@gmail.com or Mary Ortwein at mary@skillswork.org or call 859-806-4484.
Research information: ”Data from research conducted by the California Healthy Marriages Coalition show Relationship Enhancement and Mastering the Mysteries of Love to be two of the four most effective Marriage Education programs taught in California.”
For a copy of the CHMC presentation at NARME email Bill.
Costs: call or email Mary or Bill
All our programs are led by trained facilitators. Training is 2-3 days, depending on the program.
| IDEALS
Programs & Grant Criteria |
MML
Mastering Mysteries of Love |
Love’s Cradle
Core Program |
RFL
Ready for Love |
Traditional Relationship Enhancement Program | Love’s Cradle Special Topics | Relationship Enhancement for Refugees & Immigrants | MMS
Mysteries of Step-families |
In-Step | Parenting Skills | Magic of Play |
| Target Population | Couples | Low SES
Couples with Child |
Singles | Couples | Couples or Singles | Refugees & Immigrants | Couples in step-families | Couples in step-Families | Parents | Parents |
| Program Length | 16 hr | 20 hr | 16 hr | 16 hr | 8 hr ea | 8, 16, or 24 hr | 24 hr | 12 hr | 10-20 hr | 18 hr |
| Communication Skills | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Components of Healthy Relationships | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Empathy & Emotional Understanding | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Conflict resolu, mgt, & problem solving skills | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Benefits of Marriage | x | |||||||||
| Affection & intimacy | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |
| Expression & negotiation skills | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |
| Self-esteem & assertiveness | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |
| Financial management | x | |||||||||
| Stress & anger management | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |
| Parenting Skills | x | x | x | x | ||||||
| Domes violence | x | x | ||||||||
| Child Maltreatment | x | x |