Dear Folks on Mary's Special Lists of MML, RE, and People,

Below is a newsletter that will likely go out today to a larger list.  You may well get a second copy.  I simply wanted to send it to you from my email lists, to make SURE you get it.  We HOPE to send a similar piece of information about trainings, materials, etc on a regular basis to those who have been trained through I-Ky.  If you do NOT want to receive such mailings, please send an email to admin@skillswork.org and Chriss will take you off our lists.

Blessings!

Mary Ortwein

Fatherhood and Marriage Grant Information

Fatherhood and Marriage Grant Information for using MML, Love’s Cradle, Ready for Love, the standard RE program, Magic of Play, or Parenting Skills in the recently released RFPs for Fatherhood and Marriage Grants has been posted at www.skillswork.org . This includes  recent research  that validates the effectiveness of Relationship Enhancement in MML form and information about various RE based programs that matches grant requirements.  The ACF grants are due July 28!

Numerous people have contacted us about using RE based materials.  We want to be as helpful as possible.  If you have other questions about grant matters, contact either Mary Ortwein at mary@skillswork.org or Bill Coffin at bill68@gmail.com  Mary is currently in California doing a training in RE therapy with 40 registrants, but she can also be reached at 859-806-4484.  Calls will be returned as soon as possible.  Sometimes emails can be returned sooner, because they can be more easily done during workshop breaks.

Recent Research on MML

California Healthy Marriages Coalition has conscientiously evaluated MML, the traditional RE program, and numerous other marriage education curricula used in CHMC's current marriage education grant.

In findings presented earlier this month at the NARME Conference in Dallas and in personal communications with IDEALS staff, we are happy to report that:

• Data from research conducted by the California Healthy Marriages Coalition show Relationship Enhancement and Mastering the Mysteries of Love to be two of the four most effective Marriage Education programs taught in California.
• There was significant improvement in marital quality and communication skills from pre to post test, at 30 days, and at 6 months.
• Amount of time spent practicing was significant for levels of improvement, with communication, problem solving, couple satisfaction all improving more with additional time spent in class or by phone practicing skills.
• This was especially noticeable for the approximately 1/3 couples who entered the marriage education classes "distressed" or "highly distressed."
• Generally, levels of improvement were equivalent to the levels of improvement shown in the Penn State research conducted by Dr. Bernard Guerney and his associates.  This would indicate that the original research (see Research and Meta-Analytic study ) holds for MML.
• Other curricula which also showed substantial improvement in CHMC's research were also led by trained facilitators and included substantial practice time.

Training at IDEALS through the Fall

The following trainings will be held at IDEALS of Kentucky through this fall.  To register, contact Chriss at 502-227-0055 or by email: admin@skillswork.org

Mastering the Mysteries of Sacramental Love at NACFLM (National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers) August 2-3.  $60 person, $95 couple.  For registration information, see www.nacflm.org

Child-Centered Play Therapy at IDEALS of Kentucky, 306 West Main St., Frankfort, Kentucky  August 31-September 1. $95 per day with CE, $55 per day without CE, $15 for full time mental health students.

Strategies for Working with Parents, at IDEALS of Kentucky, 306 West Main St., Frankfort, Kentucky  September 16. $95 with CE, $55 without CE, $15 for full time mental health students.

Strategies for Working with Step-families, at IDEALS of Kentucky, 306 West Main St., Frankfort, Kentucky  September 30. $95 with CE, $55 without CE, $15 for full time mental health students.

Filial Therapy, at IDEALS of Kentucky, 306 West Main St., Frankfort, Kentucky, October 28-29  $95 per day with CE, $55 per day without CE, $15 for full time mental health students.

Love’s Cradle Facilitator Training, at IDEALS of Kentucky, 306 West Main St., Frankfort, Kentucky  November 9-11, $95 per day with CE, $55 per day without CE, $15 for full time mental health students.

Mastering the Mysteries of Love Facilitator Training, at IDEALS of Kentucky, 306 West Main St., Frankfort, Kentucky , November 10-12,  $95 per day with CE, $55 per day without CE, $15 for full time mental health students.

IDEALS/NIRE is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education programs specific to play therapy.  APT Preferred Provider 95-009.

IDEALS/NIRE is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  IDEALS maintains responsibility for the program and its content.

DEALS/NIRE is approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors to offer continuing education for National Certified Counselors. NBCC provider #5560.

IDEALS/NIRE is approved by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners to offer Category I continuing education programs for social workers.

IDEALS/NIRE maintains responsibility for the program and adhering to the appropriate guidelines required by the respective organizations.