State Initiatives - Georgia
Extension Point of Contact
Ted G. Futris, Ph.D
State Extension Specialist, Family Life
The University of Georgia Extension
225 Hoke Smith Annex, 300 Carlton Street
Athens, GA 30605
Phone: 706.542.7566 Email: tfutris@uga.edu
Current Projects/Activities
Building Strong Relationships Project
In partnership between Family and Consumer Sciences Cooperative Extension, The McPhaul Family Therapy Clinic, and the Department of Child and Family Development at the University of Georgia, Extension faculty are working with communities (e.g.,social service agencies; faith-based organizations; schools) to facilitate the development of healthy marriage initiatives. These initiatives, informed by research and best-practice in this field, are creating sustainable efforts that will educate youth and adults on the development and maintenance of healthy relationships and marriages. This project is funded in part by a Scholarship of Engagement Grant from the Office of the Vice President for Public Services and Outreach at UGA. (Project period: June 2007 - present; Contact: Ted G. Futris)
Preparing Engaged Couples for Marriage
In partnership with faculty and graduate students in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Extension is providing marriage preparation classes to engaged couples and evaluating the efficacy of these classes on various indicators of couple well-being. (Project period: June 2007 - present; Contact: Ted G. Futris)
Healthy Families, Healthy Finances Study
In collaboration with faculty in Consumer Economics, we conducted telephone interviews from a random digit-dialed sample of households in Georgia to study the interpersonal and financial dynamics that influence the perceived quality of couples’ relationships and economic well-being. Based on data collected from 517 married and remarried adults, findings from this study will inform the development of educational resources to help couples manage their financial and marital needs. (Project period: January 2007 - present; Contact: Ted G. Futris)
Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Children, Marriage, and Family Law
Extension is a partner serving on this commission, and specifically on the Commission’s Advisory Committee on Healthy Marriages. The goals of this Commission are to reduce the Georgia divorce rate; increase the proportion of children being raised by their married parents in healthy, stable families; and educate court personnel on the importance of marriage to child well-being and the alternatives to divorce. (Project period: December 2006- present; Contact: Ted G. Futris)
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