In order to foster progress in stabilizing and strengthening healthy marriages, the Welfare Peer Technical Assistance Network held a workshop entitled Developing a Marriage Initiative for Your State in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 17 and 18, 2002. Workshop participants included individuals primarily representing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and child support staffs from nine States. The purpose of this 2-day workshop was to create an interactive dialogue with States around appropriate efforts to develop and implement statewide healthy marriage initiatives.

The Welfare Peer Technical Assistance (TA) Network sponsored a multi-State TA event on July 15-16, 2003, in Oklahoma City, OK. This event was co-coordinated with Public Strategies, the public relations firm that manages the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative. The Administration for Children and Families' region VI, VII, and IX offices provided additional supports, ensuring this event met State informational needs. The following short summary reports on this Workshop.

This Welfare Peer TA event was a one-day workshop that highlighted best practices and model programs that encourage the development and sustaining of healthy marriages. The event was a collaborative effort between the Bay Area Social Services Consortium (BASSC) and Region IX Administration for Children and Families (ACF) office staff.

On March 18, 2004, the Welfare Peer Technical Assistance Network sponsored a Healthy Marriage Forum that took place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The forum educated participants about the Federal Healthy Marriage Initiative, about funding that is available, and about what types of programs that are eligible for funding.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources is exploring ways to promote Healthy Marriage Initiatives in the State of Alabama. Endeavoring to fulfill this mission, Alabama sought and received assistance from the Welfare Peer Technical Assistance (TA) Network to send a representative from the Family Assistance Partnership in Alabama. With the support of Ramona Warren, Team Leader for the Region IV Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Program and the financial support of the Welfare Peer TA Network, Alabama was able to send Program Specialist, Sharon A. Finklea, to Allentown, Pennsylvania to meet with several marriage stakeholders in the Pennsylvania area.