Introduction
In 2015, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) awarded five-year healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood (HMRF) grants to support strong and stable families. The 85 grantees in this cohort collected detailed performance measures that can offer the field insights into HMRF programs, services, and clients.
Purpose
In this community forum, members of the Fatherhood and Marriage Local Evaluation (FaMLE) and Cross-Site project showcased the final results from the 2015 HMRF grantee cohort. The team also engaged experts in discussions about the findings, their experiences with HMRF programs, and the field more broadly.
Key Findings and Highlights
The community forum included five sessions:
- An introduction describing the context and background of the 2015 HMRF grantee cohort led by Seth Chamberlain (Office of Family Assistance, ACF)
- A presentation of findings for programs for HM adult clients, including individuals and couples, by Christine Ross (Mathematica) and a discussion facilitated by Grace Roemer (Mathematica) with four panelists:
- Francesca Adler-Baeder (Auburn University)
- Kay Bradford (Utah State University)
- Melissa Herzog (University of Missouri)
- Galena Rhoades (University of Denver)
- A presentation of findings for programs for HM youth clients by Leah Shiferaw (Mathematica) and a discussion facilitated by Mathew Stange (Mathematica) with four panelists:
- Tiffany Clarke (Bethany Christian Services)
- Jackie Parker (Strong Families Strong Wyoming)
- Mary Ann Slanina (Youth and Family Services, Inc.)
- Ani Yzedijan (Illinois State University)
- A presentation of findings for programs for RF clients by Sarah Avellar (Mathematica) and a discussion with five panelists:
- Kirk Berry (Public Strategies)
- Avis Files (Pathway, Inc.)
- Katrina Johnson (Horizon Outreach)
- Armon Perry (University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.)
- Cheri Tillis (Fathers and Families Support Center)
- A closing session highlighting themes from the earlier sessions and ACF’s next steps led by Samantha Illangasekare (Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, ACF) and Sarah Avellar (Mathematica).
Citations
Avellar, Sarah, Christine Ross, Leah Shiferaw, Grace Roemer, Mathew Stange, Seth Chamberlain, and Samantha Illangasekare. (2021). Supporting Families: Community Forum on Findings from the 2015 HMRF Grant. OPRE Report # 2022-44. Public webinar for the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington DC.
Supporting materials
- Avellar, Sarah. (2021). Supporting Healthy Relationships: The 2015 Cohort of Responsible Fatherhood Programs. Presentation at Supporting Families: Community Forum on Findings from the 2015 HMRF Grants for the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington DC.
- Ross, Christine. (2021). Supporting Healthy Relationships: The 2015 Cohort of Healthy Marriage Programs for Adults. Presentation at Supporting Families: Community Forum on Findings from the 2015 HMRF Grants for the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington DC.
- Shiferaw, Leah. (2021). Supporting Healthy Relationships: The 2015 Cohort of Healthy Marriage Programs for Youth. Presentation at Supporting Families: Community Forum on Findings from the 2015 HMRF Grants for the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington DC.