The best relationship education curriculum in the world can’t compete with a flooded nervous system. Participants often arrive carrying trauma, chronic stress, or the ordinary anxiety of a hard week. Their brains are often running in survival mode, which makes it biologically difficult to absorb new relational skills. And what happens when you, the facilitator, walk into the room carrying the same load? This webinar explores the intersection of neuroscience and relationship education, and why foundational mental well-being tools must come first. We’ll dig into the science behind the Dibble program, Mind Matters. Understanding your participants’ and your own capacity to self-regulate increases everyone’s capacity to connect. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the neurological “why” behind trauma-informed care, along with practical tools you can share with participants and use yourself. Key Takeaways: The Science of Receptivity. What actually happens in a flooded brain, and why stress blocks learning, teaching, and empathy…
Healthy Relationship Education
The Dating Recession: Insights form the 2025 National Dating Landscape Survey Young adults are living through a dating recession — and it’s happening during their prime years. The 2025 National Dating Landscape Survey reveals a striking paradox: most young adults want traditional relationships, marriage, and family — but many lack the dating skills and resilience to get there. Significant barriers are keeping them from even starting. It’s not a fear of commitment. It’s a skills gap. Despite widespread interest in relationship education, practical dating skills remain largely untaught — overlooked by mainstream culture and the relationship education field alike. The result: young adults who are motivated but unequipped. They need a road map. One that bridges the gap between wanting a lasting relationship and building one. What You’ll Learn: How often young adults are dating today — and why the numbers may surprise you The barriers standing between them and…
Most of us who work with young people know the moment well: a youth brings up a relationship concern — maybe something that happened over text, or a situation that doesn’t feel quite right — and we want to say exactly the right thing. But where do you even start? That’s exactly why we’re excited to share this free upcoming webinar from the experts at Child Trends. This practical, research-based session is designed specifically for people like you — professionals who care deeply about young people and want real tools to support them. Here’s what you’ll walk away with: A clear picture of what healthy adolescent relationships actually look like — including communication, consent, shared power, and boundaries Concrete conversation starters and prompts you can use right away in your work Strategies for helping youth navigate the digital side of relationships — from texting to social media — where connection…
Join us to learn the basics of effective advocacy and government relations for nonprofit organizations. This webinar will include: Overview of Advocacy Basics What is advocacy? How can nonprofits safely engage in advocacy? What is the difference between education, advocacy, and lobbying? How can nonprofits use advocacy to advance their organizational goals? Discuss Policy Trends and Updates Discussion and analysis of current trends, and Emerging legislation at the federal and state levels relevant to the field of healthy relationships. Objectives: Participants will: Understand the basics of government affairs Learn how nonprofits can leverage government affairs to advance their policy and funding goals Find out how to engage in local, state, and federal advocacy efforts Presenters: Terri Lakowski, Esq.; Chief Executive Officer- Active Policy Solutions Jason Marmon, Esq.; Chief Operating Officer- Active Policy Solutions Who should attend: Executive Directors, CEOs, Board Members, Development Directors, Grant Writers, Program Directors and Managers, Policy…
Relationship education (RE) has been effective for youth, especially in contexts of adversity (i.e., high rates of STDs, teen pregnancy). Resilience theory suggests that youth under more adversity benefit more from resource-based interventions. However, most evaluations of RE programs focus on majority youth or take a deficit approach. Our mixed method study evaluated the effectiveness of the Love Notes curriculum, comparing improvement in program outcomes for youth from various backgrounds of potential disadvantage (urban high schools, alternative education, and behavioral health contexts). We found that youth from behavioral health contexts had greater gains from participating in Love Notes than other groups on some outcomes, indicating resilience. Participants found relationship skills, recognizing risks, and sex education most useful. Our study emphasized the importance and effectiveness of youth relationship education, highlighting unique experiences based on context. Objectives: Participants will be able to: Learn about relationship education among youth and its main goals…
Unpacking the Dibble Treasure Chest! You may think you know The Dibble Institute… but do you really? Did you know: We offer hundreds of free resources on our website? We are constantly updating our materials with the latest research? Our training clients regularly give us an A+ for our engaging and effective facilitation techniques? Annually we help hundreds of organizations apply for and win grants to provide relationship education? Join us at this special webinar to unpack the Dibble treasure chest and give you some insights into what’s coming! Objectives: Participants will be able to: Effectively use Dibble’s free resources Review our new programs Explain Dibble’s training approach Learn three key facilitation skills Identify sources for future funding Presenter: Rachel Savasuk-Luxton, Director of Training and Research Aaron Larson, Director of Programs Jo Anne Eason, National Outreach Coordinator Caleb Cook, Senior Trainer Who should attend: Those who currently use or are interested in…
Exploring the Importance of a Trusted Adult In this webinar, participants will explore what it means to be a trusted adult in the lives of young people. Through reflection, and skill-building, attendees will learn how to build trust, listen with empathy, establish healthy boundaries, and respond effectively to youth in crisis. Grounded in real-world scenarios and youth perspectives, this webinar equips adults to show up in meaningful, supportive, and lasting ways—especially when young people need it most. Objectives: Participants will be able to: Identify the key qualities and behaviors of a trusted adult. Understand the importance and impact of a trusted adult. Recognize barriers youth have to identifying a trusted adult. Presenter: Kelley Luckett, Senior Director of Community Integrated Health- YMCA of Greater Louisville Who should attend: Educators, Youth Workers and Mentors, Coaches, Group Leaders, Healthcare Professionals, Social Workers, Law Enforcement and First Responders, Family Members, Parents and Guardians, Policy…
Building Trust Using Unique Strategies for Successful Recruitment and Retention Recruiting and retaining youth in youth development programs, specifically in teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) programs, is a multifaceted challenge. Systemic barriers, transportation difficulties, and competing priorities are just a few of the obstacle’s organizations face. At PRO Youth & Families (PRO), trust-building has proven to be a vital foundation for achieving success in both recruitment and retention. In this webinar, PRO will partner with Queens of Eve, a community-based organization, to share actionable strategies and insights from their collaborative work. Together, they will discuss key trust-building practices, such as fostering strong relationships, setting clear boundaries and expectations, actively listening, and adapting to meet the unique needs of youth and partners. Additionally, the session will highlight the role of meaningful youth incentives and partner compensation in promoting program success. Objectives: Participants will be able to: Identify three practical strategies to support…
Sexual Cyberbullying & Healthy Relationships Join this webinar to learn about Child Trend’s project Activate: a research-to-practice translation center that creates research-based sexual and reproductive health resources for use by professionals who support young people. They focus on youth who are experiencing the child welfare and/or justice systems, homelessness, and/or disconnection from school and work. The spotlight will be on two Activate research projects focused on healthy relationships and sexual cyberbullying. You will learn the relevant research findings along with two technical assistance tools—Decoding Sexual Cyberbullying (to increase professionals’ capacity and comfort discussing sexual cyberbullying) and Crucial Conversations about Healthy Relationships (to increase professionals’ capacity to support youth to develop healthy romantic relationships). You will also be provided with additional resources related to sexual cyberbullying and healthy relationships. Objectives: Participants will be able to: Learn about Activate’s resources focused on sexual cyberbullying and healthy relationships. Learn about Activate’s research translation process….
Lopsided Love: Asymmetrical Commitment in Romantic Relationships One of the greatest insights on lopsided commitment came from sociologist Willard Waller in 1936, when he described the “principle of least interest,” defined in this way: “That person is able to dictate the conditions of association whose interest in the continuation of the affair is least.’’ Analogously, the person who is most committed has the least power in a relationship. There is a growing and robust literature on asymmetrical commitment, with studies showing that it is associated not only with poor relationship dynamics but also specific personal characteristics such as attachment difficulties. Dr. Scott Stanley and Dr. Galena Rhoades have published numerous papers on this topic. In this talk, they will describe what’s up with lopsided love. Objectives: Participants will: Learn about the nature and consequences of asymmetrically committed romantic relationships regarding relationship quality, relationship stability, and risks for aggression. Be able…
Results From a Recent Investigation of Love Notes Join Dr. Scott Crapo from Utah State University as he delves into recent research on the multifaceted, positive impacts of Love Notes. Love Notes aims to achieve a wide array of outcomes beyond reducing sexual risk-taking, yet limited research has explored its effectiveness in reaching broader learning objectives. Given the significant association between healthy adolescent dating relationships and both current and future outcomes, it is crucial to understand how Love Notes influences youths’ general approach to relationships, particularly across diverse contexts. Additionally, since schools and organizations are often unable to commit extensive time to relationship education programs, Dr. Crapo also assessed whether Love Notes can be effectively taught in fewer lessons. Join us to discover how Love Notes impacts youth perceptions and attitudes about relationship behaviors and also one’s capacity to succeed in relationships. See how changes to the format of Love…
Centering Youth Voice Using Peer Facilitators in Relationship Education to Engage and Empower Youth Join Kelley Luckett and Daiya Thompson of the Louisville YMCA as they discuss lessons learned over the last two years of implementing Love Notes in Teen Vibe Camps using peer facilitators. Teen Vibe Camps, offer a transformative blend of summer camp nostalgia and comprehensive curriculum sessions. Through activities like podcasting, music, and social media graphics, these camps foster a sense of community and belonging. Statistical evidence showcases significant shifts in positive identity markers among attendees who form trusted adult connections and show higher program engagement. Complementing this approach is an innovative Peer Facilitator model, which introduces youth as Love Notes facilitators. Peer facilitators excel in building trust, fostering community, and encouraging participation outscoring adult facilitators in quality observation scores. Through a dual-track system involving collaboration with local high schools and self-selection from camp attendees, peer facilitators…
“But you know I’m just like you, right?” Exploring Adolescent Dating and Disability Join Dr. Heidi Rueda as she discusses her research on adolescent dating and disability. She will explore young people with disabilities’ romantic and sexual experiences highlighting the unique challenges and assets across the stages of relationships (initiation, sustainment, and termination). She will also cover dating and sexual violence prevention along with pregnancy and parenting considerations. She will highlight how, through advocacy, parents and educators can help young people with various types of disabilities obtain sexual citizenship via comprehensive sexual health education plus tailored dating and sexual health resources. The qualitative data for this webinar came from interviews with social workers who served children and adolescents with disabilities, as well as from interviews with young adults with disabilities and with parents of youth with disabilities. Objectives: Participants will be able to: Describe the intimacy desires of youth with…
The Power of Relationship Education from a Policy Perspective Policymakers and policy analysts are increasingly turning to micro-level interventions to address large and widespread social issues. There is a growing recognition that what happens inside a home and family has broader social ramifications, which is turning policy conversations toward approaches that can strengthen couples and families. Relationship Education has proven to be effective for improving outcomes in a variety of settings related to families. Because many of the issues that public policy seeks to address are affected by family instability and parental conflict, Relationship Education can act as a preventative measure that diminishes risk factors that originate in the home. Also, addressing a problem after it has taken hold is often more expensive than stopping it from happening in the present. Join Dr. Jocelyn Wikle to learn how Relationship Education can be beneficial in diminishing serious and costly issues of…
Young People’s Experiences and Thoughts on Relationships Today: A conversation with Marline Pearson Many of us wonder about young people’s current lived experience and aspirations regarding their relationships. For instance: Do adolescents still date? Do they still hope for a long-term committed partner or spouse? How are young people thinking about their intimate relationships? How are they visualizing their current or future families? Join Love Notes author and noted thought leader, Marline Pearson, as she shares her experiences and reflections that come from teaching thousands of young people at Madison College, a two-year technical and community college as well as younger teens through STEM and Gateway programs. She will also share the different messages she gives young people from teens to late twenties about how best to approach relationships during those years. Note: This is a conversational format. Please come prepared with questions to ask Marline. Objectives: Participants will be…
The State of Youth Relationship Education Today Relationship education has moved from being an unfamiliar and unrecognized intervention to being an appreciated and effective intervention that can pull many levers in young people’s lives. We know from research that it can change sexual behaviors, reduce violence and the acceptance of violence. And, most recently, we see that relationship education can help build hope. Join Executive Director, Kay Reed, to learn about the current landscape for the field of relationship education. She will share new research outcomes, innovative funding streams and settings, along with challenges and opportunities for the field. Objectives: Participants will be able to: List outcomes that result from evidence-based relationship education. Target new state and federal funding to support relationship education programming. Share current challenges and opportunities for the field Presenter: Kay Reed, Executive Director Resources: January 2024 Webinar Slide Deck
What happens when you teach teens to navigate their romantic relationships? Is there a difference between boys and girls? Does dose or content matter? Join Drs. Alamillo and Doran of Mathematica as they share the insights of a randomized study of Georgia students who participated in two versions of the Relationship Smarts PLUS program. They will discuss the impact on students’ relationship skills, attitudes, knowledge, experiences, and the quality of their relationships one and three years later. As part of the sustained effort by the Administration for Children and Families to expand available evidence on healthy marriage and relationship education programs, Mathematic and its partner, Public Strategies, conducted the Strengthening Relationship Education and Marriage Services evaluation to help identify strategies for improving the delivery and effectiveness of HMRE programs. (MTCI), near Atlanta, Georgia. MTCI received a federal grant in 2015 to deliver Relationship Smarts PLUS Version 3.0 to youth in high…
What happens when you organize college undergraduates to provide healthy marriage and relationship education (HMRE) to their peers in a structured service-learning class? This presentation will describe a community engagement strategy and pedagogical approach to prepare emerging professionals and strengthen romantic relationships by utilizing undergraduate peer educators to facilitate HMRE to other undergraduate students in their campus community. Join Drs. McElwain and Finnegan as they discuss the process of training, planning, and implementing content from the evidence-based Love Notes curriculum that helped college peers see human development and family relations concepts “come to life,” open a “whole new world” of career opportunities, and develop key professional skills. Objectives: Participants will be able to: Understand the benefits of a peer education model for delivering HMRE through structured university service-learning courses. Identify peer impact and practical gains of facilitating relationship education through a service-learning experience Learn from peer educators’ reflections on their…
Strengthening Facilitation Skills: A Training Curriculum for Programs Working with Youth, is a free, three-module curriculum designed to help facilitators of youth-serving programs improve the quality of their facilitation skills. It was developed as part of a formative evaluation of Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education programs conducted by Mathematica and its partner Public Strategies in conjunction with two community-based organizations called STREAMS. Join Erin Welch and Scott Roby for this webinar where they will share details about the curriculum’s development, describe its resources, and explain how it can be used to foster facilitators’ development. Learn how you can maximize learning and engagement using best practices and participant-centered and trauma-informed facilitation Objectives: Participants will internalize the goals and development process of the Strengthening Facilitation Skills curriculum. Participants will explore the content and resources included in the curriculum. Participants will understand how to use the curriculum and hear tips from the field….
Beginning in the mid-2000s, the federal government authorized funding to support healthy relationship education (HRE) for youth. These programs aim to improve young people’s relationship skills, knowledge, and behaviors and prepare them to build healthy romantic relationships in adulthood. In 2020, the federal government awarded more than $24 million to 25 programs serving high-school-age youth and young adults. In a project supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Mathematica has summarized the existing research on the effectiveness of HRE programs for youth. The research team identified and reviewed 15 impact studies of HRE programs for youth and summarized the findings using an evidence and gaps map. Join us as we discuss what we know and what we don’t know about the effectiveness of HRE programs for youth and promising future directions for continuing to build the evidence base for these programs. Objectives: Participants will learn: What an…