No subjects recruited

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the healthy marriage and relationship education program Elevate: Taking Your Relationship to the Next Level results in improved couple, parenting, and co-parenting behaviors that lead to reduced child abuse/neglect potential.

The descriptive study is based on the theory that couples can learn skills through participating in the Elevate curriculum that will help them function better as a couple resulting in improved relationship quality/stability, improved co-parenting skills, improved financial management, and reduced financial stress. As a result of improved relationship skills and better management of stress, couples will then provide more supportive, safe, and stable family environments for children.

Individuals who are eligible (biological and foster parents of children 0-18) and agree to participate in the study will complete surveys at three time points--before participating in Elevate, 4-6 weeks after participating, and 8-10 months after participating in Elevate. The surveys include items related to couple functioning behaviors, relationship quality/stability, parenting/co-parenting skills, and financial management and distress.

Inclusion Criteria:

Biological parents of children 0-18 Parents must be in a committed couple relationship

Exclusion Criteria:

Incarceration

The study population is biological and foster parents of children ages 0-18.