• Student Learning: The curriculum is designed to increase communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills, which may reduce substance abuse, at-risk behaviors and teen pregnancy.
• Relationship: This program can demonstrate an improved school climate related to interpersonal interactions, friendships, and school-family-community involvement. Students will learn some basic skills that will assist them with a present and future commitment to healthy, balanced relationships.
• Financial: There is NO cost to the school. The TWOgether Pittsburgh Initiative assumes the total cost for curriculum, supplies, staff training and other related expenses. The facilitator who teaches the course will receive a monthly stipend .
• Implementation: The program can be offered after school, weekends or in conjunction with the Family and Consumer Sciences Curriculum, during the school calendar year. There are no interruptions to existing classroom schedules or lesson plans.

ECHO "Promoting healthy, interpersonal relationships in families & marriages"

Goals

• To provide students with information, services and skills to help them establish, build, and maintain healthy life relationships
• To teach students sound life management techniques that will raise their consciousness about the impact of life choices
• To explore family-of-origin influences and issues as they relate to family, love and marriage

Objectives

Students will:

• Gain a better understanding of who they are as individuals, in friendship, family and marriage
• Gain an understanding the significance of values and belief systems and how to apply this to their everyday lives and the consequences when they do not exist
• Learn that their choices impact their lives, their families and our society

Schools will:
• Experience improved family, school and community collaboration as the students increase interpersonal competence and decision-making skills

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What curriculum will be used for this healthy, interrelationship program?

The Dibble Fund for Marriage Education will be utilized. It involves two separate components: Connections: Dating and Emotions and Connections: Marriage and Relationships
Has the curriculum been proven successful?

Yes! This is research based curriculum. In a summary report for the evaluation of the Connections: Dating and Emotions and Relationships and Marriage Curriculum, individuals were tracked 5 to 10 years after having graduated from high school. They experienced marked improvement in relational skills and relationship success.

What are the benefits to the schools?

Compliance: This program will fulfill the Academic Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Student Learning: The curriculum is designed to increase communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills, which may reduce substance abuse, at-risk behaviors, and teen pregnancy.

Relationship: This program can demonstrate an improved school climate related to interpersonal interactions, friendships, and school-family-community involvement. Students will learn some basic skills that will assist them with a present and future commitment to healthy, balanced relationships.

Financial: There is NO cost to the school. The TWOgether Pittsburgh Initiative assumes the total cost for curriculum, supplies, staff training and other related expenses.

Implementation: The program can be offered after school, weekends or in conjunction with the Family and Consumer Sciences Curriculum, during the school calendar year. There are no interruptions to existing classroom schedules or lesson plans.

Who will participate in this healthy relationship program?

The program is open to High school students through TWOgether Pittsburgh partner schools and community organization with teen programs.

How can schools become involved with this program?

The TWOgether Pittsburgh Healthy Marriage Initiative must solicit local churches, schools and other agencies who believe in the social, psychological, physical and spiritual benefits of strong families and healthy relationships. According to the initiative grant, five high schools must be selected throughout the five counties of the Greater Pittsburgh area. These schools will be selected by the TWOgether Pittsburgh Program Director for High School Education in consultation with the Project Director and President of Family Guidance, Inc.

When will this program become available?

The program is expected to roll out for the 2007 – 2008 School Year

What does the TWOgether Pittsburgh Coalition offer partnering schools? TWOgether Pittsburgh has a staff specialist who understands the unique factors of the educational environment and will offer expertise to equip the schools to execute and sustain the selected program. The coalition will provide outreach resources that can be used directly in your school. The posters, brochures and other promotional materials will promote a positive message about healthy relationships and families to school staff, students, parents and community. In addition, the coalition will be implementing a City-wide marketing and public awareness campaign that will include: a website, billboards, bus boards, radio and TV spots, and a variety other ways for the community to connect with TWOgether Pittsburgh.