Healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood (HMRF) grant recipients, funded by the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), serve thousands of families each year. OFA works with the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation within ACF to learn how to best serve families through the grants. The programs are designed to help interested adults and youth build stronger families by supporting healthy relationship and parenting skills as well as achieving economic stability.

This series of snapshots highlights the progress of the fourth cohort of 112 grant recipients during their first two years of operations. Each snapshot describes who the grant recipients enrolled, how they recruited clients, the services they provided, highlights of implementation, and clients' perceptions of the programs.

• Healthy marriage programs for adult individuals (PDF) Fifteen grant recipients served more than 7,000 adult individuals during the first two years of the grants. Most participants were female (66 percent). Almost half were married or in a steady relationship at enrollment and the most common reason to enroll (39 percent) was to improve personal relationships. Clients participated in about 15 hours of workshops and 6 service contacts (such as case management), on average. Most clients (78 percent) rated the program as helpful.
• Healthy marriage programs for adult couples (PDF) Eighteen grant recipients served more than 13,000 adult clients in couples during the first two years of the grants. At enrollment, clients were in their late 30s and had between 1 and 2 children, on average. Almost 70 percent enrolled to improve their personal relationships. Clients participated in about 12 hours of workshops and one service contact (such as case management), on average. Most clients (79 percent) rated the program as helpful.
• Healthy marriage programs for youth (PDF) Twenty-four grant recipients served more than 15,000 youth during the first two years of the grants. Clients were almost 16 years old at enrollment, on average, and most were in school (76 percent). Less than half (45 percent) were female. Clients participated in about 14 hours of workshops and one service contact (such as case management), on average. Most clients (65 percent) rated the program as helpful.
• Responsible fatherhood programs for fathers in the community (PDF) Fifty-two grant recipients served nearly 14,000 fathers in their communities during the first two years of the grants. At enrollment, almost half of clients were married or in steady relationship; clients had about two children, on average. The most common reason for enrollment (50 percent) was to be a better parent. Clients participated in about 26 hours of workshops and 10 service contacts (such as case management), on average. Most clients (89 percent) rated the program as helpful.
• Responsible fatherhood programs for reentering fathers (PDF) Nine grant recipients served more than 2,400 reentering fathers who were within nine months of release from incarceration and intended to return to their communities and families. At enrollment, 38 percent of clients were married or in steady relationship; clients had about two children, on average. The most common reason for enrollment (61 percent) was to be a better parent. Clients participated in about 30 hours of workshops and 6 service contacts (such as case management), on average. Most clients (81 percent) rated the program as helpful.

The results are descriptive and include information such as means, percentages, and ranges. The results were based on performance measure data from October 2020-September 2022. Grant recipients were responsible for collecting all data. Respondents included grant recipient staff members and clients (that is, the adults or youth served by the programs). As clients progressed through the program, grant recipients asked them to complete up to three surveys (at enrollment and at their first and last workshops).

Avellar, Sarah, Joanne Lee, and Lauren Murphy (2023). "Snapshot of Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Grant Recipients Serving Adult Individuals: Characteristics and Progress During the First Two Grant Years." OPRE Report #2023-311. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Avellar, Sarah, Joanne Lee, and Lauren Murphy (2023). "Snapshot of Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Grant Recipients Serving Adults in Couples: Characteristics and Progress During the First Two Grant Years." OPRE Report #2023-312. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Avellar, Sarah, Joanne Lee, and Lauren Murphy (2023). "Snapshot of Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Grant Recipients Serving Youth: Characteristics and Progress During the First Two Grant Years." OPRE Report #2023-313. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Avellar, Sarah, Joanne Lee, and Lauren Murphy (2023). "Snapshot of Responsible Fatherhood Grant Recipients Serving Community Fathers: Characteristics and Progress During the First Two Grant Years." OPRE Report #2023-314. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Avellar, Sarah, Joanne Lee, and Lauren Murphy (2023). "Snapshot of Responsible Fatherhood Grant Recipients Serving Reentering Fathers: Characteristics and Progress During the First Two Grant Years." OPRE Report #2023-315. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

ACF:Administration for Children and FamiliesHMRF:Healthy marriage and responsible fatherhoodOFA:Office of Family Assistance

Types:

Report , Brief

OPRE Research Topics:

Strengthening Families, Fatherhood, Healthy Relationships & Marriages

Projects:

Building Usage, Improvement, and Learning with Data in Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Programs (BUILD HMRF)