Authored by Marcia Carlson of Columbia University, Sara McLanahan of Princeton University, Paula England of Stanford University, and Barbara Devaney of Mathematica Policy Research. This brief, the third in a series from the Building Strong Families (BSF) project, draws on Mathematica's survey for the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study on the characteristics and relationship patterns of unwed parents. The findings can help state and local agencies and other groups designing BSF programs gain a better understanding of their target population and develop interventions that respond to their needs and circumstances.

Authored by Jennifer Ehrle Macomber, Julie Murray, and Matthew Stagner. This Urban Institute report highlights key components of current marriage education programs, identifies opportunities and challenges for expanding services into other service delivery systems, and provides recommendations regarding evaluations of healthy marriage programs.

This article describes the HHS ACF effort to focus on programs that strengthen marriages, and ultimately, improve child well-being, and provides information on and links to recent studies that reflect the large-scale research agenda of the ACF.

This report presents the findings of a groundbreaking large-scale national study of mothers' beliefs and concerns. A representative sample of more than 2,000 mothers of children under the age of 18 were asked what they think and feel about mothering, with very interesting results.

This policy brief explores the question of creating policies to encourage marriage in terms of TANF. The general agreement is made that federal and state policies should not penalize marriage. It explores the effect of TANF program rules on family formation decisions.

From the National Governor's Association, Center for Best Practices, this article reviews marriage education programs across States, which seek to ultimately improve outcomes for families and children. Research shows that children raised in, two-parent homes have lower risk of both academic and behavioral issues and greater stability in their future relationships as adults. Reviewing current marriage education programs, NGA provides lessons learned for enhanced service delivery.

In light of welfare reform, HHS has devoted funds to the Healthy Marriage Initiative. Because of the debate surrounding marriage education, this article seeks to answer what exactly is marriage education and if it is working. Marriage is seen to strengthen families, reduced poverty, and improve child wellbeing.

This report reviews the importance of local community coalitions for implementing a healthy marriage initiative in Grand Rapids, MI. The "Healthy Marriage, Healthy Relationships" Initiative began in 2003, and researchers provide information on how the pilot began operations and sustained community coalitions.

This pilot Healthy Marriage Initiative, called Healthy Marriage, Responsible Fatherhood, was implemented in Nampa, Idaho as a coalition of faith- and community-based partners. Through OPRE, this resource provides information on the local implementation of a healthy marriage campaign.

Studies have shown that family structure is an indicator for educational outcomes among children. This article proposes that by increasing marriage in the US would greatly improve education achievements among children.