The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released an evaluation of the Administration for Children and Families' Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) initiative. The findings offer hope that at least one of the tools in the federal anti-poverty toolbox is having a positive impact. HMRF gives $150 million to community-based organizations providing marriage, relationship, and fatherhood education services to thousands of low-income Americans. And the program's positive outcomes should encourage additional investigation and continued investment.
The Parents and Children Together (PACT) evaluation, by Mathematica Policy Research, reviewed the results of the Bronx-based Supporting Healthy Relationships and the Healthy Opportunities for Marriage Enrichment Program in El Paso. The evaluation found that couples taking part in these relationship education programs were less likely to break up, with 63 percent still together at the 1-year follow-up, compared to 59 percent of the control group. Couples also reported higher levels of commitment to their spouse, and improved co-parenting behaviors and higher levels of affection. Importantly, these programs also reduced levels of destructive behavior: Reports of domestic violence were one-third lower in treatment group versus those in the control group.
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