Funded research

Anne E. Sparks

Implementation Analysis of "Within My Reach"

Description

Through the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative and Oklahoma’s Department of Human Services, TANF recipients participating in Oklahoma’s Job Readiness Programs will be offered a 14 hour relationship skills training using the “Within My Reach” curriculum, an adaptation of the well known PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program), which focuses on relationship-awareness and teaches skills to improve communication and decision-making in relationships. The proposed in-depth qualitative study includes a process study of the implementation of “Within My Reach” and repeated in-depth interviews with participants. The aims are: 1) to produce an in-depth description of the treatment based on the researcher’s observations and participants’ feedback; 2) through in-depth interviews, to assess the fit between the “Within My Reach” training and the TANF clients’ actual relationship situations and concerns; 3) through follow up interviews, to assess the degree to which participants utilize skills taught in the program in their daily lives. Domains of primary interest are current relationships with a romantic partner, ongoing co-parenting relationships with past partners, and new relationships with potential romantic partners.

The implementation portion of the study will observe two cohorts as they move through the training. I will conduct audio-taped semi-structured interviews with each cohort just prior to each of the trainings. I will also take field notes based on my own observations of the sessions and on informal conversations with the participants during and immediately following the training sessions. Audio-taped semi-structured repeated interviews with each cohort will be conducted four months after the completion of each training.

Two of the goals of PRWORA were family formation goals; to this end, states are experimenting with a variety of Healthy Marriage Initiative projects. Oklahoma is currently the only state in the nation that is applying the Initiative to TANF recipients. “Within My Reach” is based on PREP, an empirically based couple’s relationship skills training program. It consists of a modified PREP curriculum designed for use with women who are TANF recipients. (See “Overview to Within My Reach” in Appendix.) Though there are now a number of PREP adaptations for less advantaged populations, the effectiveness of the PREP model has not been evaluated outside the context of white middle class married or engaged couples. This study will begin to examine the effectiveness of a PREP-based program for low income women who may or may not be in ongoing relationships. An analysis that includes specifics as to how the program is actually delivered, the fit between the curriculum and the lives of participants, and the extent to which participants apply the concepts and skills covered in the training will generate crucial information regarding the how and why of the program’s effects on clients and will offer suggestions as to how it could be made more effective.

 

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