State Initiatives - Alabama
Extension Point of Contact
Francesca Adler-Baeder, Ph.D., CFLE
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
Director, Center for Children, Youth and Families
Dept. of Human Development and Family Studies
203 Spidle Hall
Auburn University, Alabama 36849
Phone: 334.844.3234 Email: francesca@auburn.edu
Jennifer Kerpelman, Ph.D.
Professor and Extension Specialist
Dept. of Human Development and Family Studies
203 Spidle Hall
Auburn University, Alabama 36849
Phone: 334.844.4149 Email: kerpejl@auburn.edu
Current Projects/Activities
Alabama Healthy Marriage Initiative (ACHMI)
This comprehensive research and outreach initiative is a collaborative effort involving HDFS at Auburn University, the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention (the Children’s Trust Fund), the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Family Resource Centers and Mental Health Centers. ACHMI is a 5-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families intended to promote public awareness of the importance of healthy marriages for children, family and community well-being; increase access to healthy marriage resources; train community members and professionals in research-based educational curricula; and provide educational programs for youth, non-married parents, premarital couples and married couples. (Contact: Roberta Jackel, Project Manager; Project period: 2006-2011; www.alabamamarriage.org)
Healthy Couples, Healthy Children Project
This 5 year longitudinal study of the impact of youth-focused relationships education on high school students is funded by the Office for Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration of Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Using The Relationship Smarts (RS+) Curriculum (Marline Pearson, 2007, Love U2: Increasing Your Relationship Smarts), a research and theory-based curriculum, teens participate in hands-on activities to increase knowledge about healthy/unhealthy relationships; strengthen skills for facilitating healthy relationship dynamics; enhance understanding of the choices and behaviors that put their physical and emotional health at risk. (Contact: Jennifer Kerpelman, PI; Project period: 2005-2010; www.alabamamarriage.org/HCHCTYProject.php)
Family Connections in Alabama
Originally funded in 2003 by the Office of Child Support Enforcement, Dept. of Health and Human Services and in partnership with The Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama, HDFS at Auburn University, Alabama A&M, and Alabama Cooperative Extension System, this project is providing relationships/marriage education for low-income nonmarried African-American and Latino new parents. (Contact: Donna Gullate; Project period: October 2003-2008)
The Alabama Healthy Marriage Handbook
Developed in collaboration between the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and HDFS at Auburn University, this easy to read 48-page comprehensive healthy marriage resource is distributed through marriage license offices throughout the state. This publication received the 2007 Silver Award from the National Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences and the 2007 APEX Grand Award for nonprofit brochures, manuals, and reports. The Alabama version is available online at http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE-0829/HE-0829.pdf; a generic version for Healthy Marriage Initiatives in other states is available at
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE-0858
Alabama Healthy Marriage, Healthy Families and Responsible Fatherhood Conference on Best Practices
Coordinated by ACHMI, CTF, DHR and other state agencies, this annual conference provides information on best practices for relationship and marriage education, health and wellness programs, unwed pregnancy prevention, youth development, parenting programs, faith-based and community organization development and responsible fatherhood issues to over 300 participants from extension offices, social services and state agencies. (Contact: Roberta Jackel)
Alabama Marriage Month annual activities
8th graders are encouraged by teachers, extension agents and community agencies to write about “The Best Marriage I Know” and from each Congressional District one winner, teacher and the couple attend the Alabama Healthy Marriage Celebration Reception at the Governor’s Mansion. Couples who have been married for more than 25 years are also recognized and honored. The Governor and mayors sign proclamations announcing February as Marriage Month, stimulating communities to plan and develop program/activities which are highlighted on www.alabamamarriage.org (Contact: Roberta Jackel)
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