Healthy Relationships and Marriage Initiatives
CFUF has a variety of initiatives focused on building the strength of urban, fragile families. The initiatives all derive from CFUF’s proprietary Exploring Relationships and Marriage with Fragile Families (ERM) curriculum. For a list of our ERM focused training and technical assistance initiative, please click here .
The ERM curriculum was designed to help romantically involved parents gain the knowledge and skills that can strengthen their relationships and provide a practical way for them to explore a healthy marriage. The eight-session couple’s curriculum has brought together basic concepts from marriage education with a frank and honest exploration of the complex set of issues and challenges present in the relationships of many low-income parents.
The curriculum is designed to be implemented with small groups, composed ideally of 6-10 couples (12-20 people). The curriculum is best implemented with male and female co-facilitators and encourages the use of mentor couples to assist the facilitators and serve as role models for the participants.
Topics covered in ERM sessions:
Session 1- Advanced Relationships Today
Introduces couples to the program and begins the process of advancing men and women into the more mature stages of creating stable families.
Session 2- Healthy Relationships
Introduces the set of qualities, values, and skills couples need to know in order to do the work of maintaining a healthy and committed relationship.
Session 3- Mind on Marriage Mountain
Introduces the practical realities of marriage and helps individuals start the process of understanding their unique perspectives and differences regarding key relationship and marriage issues.
Session 4- Conflict Control Room
Builds skills couples will need in order to avoid the relationship disasters created when conflict gets out of control.
Session 5- Weather Storm Safe-Station
Introduces skills needed to handle the big issues and manage the significant conflicts that are bound to arise in any committed relationship.
Session 6- Sweet Truth Talk Shop
Offers the opportunity for couples to practice communicating in ways that allow both partners to feel respected and heard.
Session 7- Real Think Spa
Provides basic concepts, skills, and tips for keeping the love alive as the relationship progresses.
Session 8- Rings, Wings, and Reasons to Wait Center
Provides individual couples the opportunity to reflect on their current level of commitment and their outlook for the future.