Topic: Communication, Emotional Competency, Relationships
Target Population: Couples
Sector: Community-Based, Work Site
This program is for couples.
ELEVATE: Taking Your Relationship to the Next Level (ELEVATE), a community- or worksite-based, couples-education program, is designed to promote harmonious relationships by strengthening relationship knowledge and skills and helping couples understand how physiology is connected to human interactions.
Results from one quasi-experimental study indicated that ELEVATE participants experienced sustained improvements at a 6-month follow-up on four of nine target outcomes relative to a comparison group: know, connect, manage, and couple quality. There were no significant differences between groups on five of the nine target outcomes: self-care, choose, share, care, and depressive symptoms.
ELEVATE's modules are based on the National Extension Relationship and Marriage Education Model and cover the following core concepts:
Activities, such as discussion questions, mindfulness practices, PowerPoint slides, and videos, are used to deliver program material to couples.
Information on previous use for this program was not located.
This program can be facilitated by any interested individuals, and no training is required for implementation. Facilitators should review the implementation guide and other materials provided in the Facilitator Kit. Training videos are available to those who create and log into their ELEVATE account. In-person training and technical assistance (TA) support are also available. Please visit https://www.fcs.uga.edu/nermen/nermen-resources-elevate-training for more information.
Considerations for implementing this program include recruiting and retaining facilitators and participants, finding suitable space to hold sessions, and determining the best time to hold sessions.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing ELEVATE, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
ELEVATE consists of eight 1-hour modules that can be implemented in an 8-week, 4-week, 2-day, or 1-day format.
ELEVATE materials are available for free from the program website for those who register for an account. Paper materials can also be ordered. The Facilitator Kit, which contains the complete facilitator manual, background reading on the National Extension Relationship and Marriage Education Model, one couple workbook, one relationship wheel, and one CD with PowerPoint slides and videos, costs $70. A set of 20 couple workbooks costs $80, and a set of 10 relationship wheels is $15. Please visit https://www.fcs.uga.edu/nermen/elevate-curriculum-content for more information.
To move ELEVATE to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least two additional evaluations should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least two years from the beginning of the program or at least one year from program completion. At least one of these studies should be conducted independently of the program developer.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact Ted Futris by mail 227 Hoke Smith Annex, 300 Carlton Street, Athens, GA 30602, phone 1-706-542-9004, fax 1-706-542-1799, email tfutris@uga.edu, or visit https://www.fcs.uga.edu/nermen/elevate
McGill, J., Adler‐Baeder, F., & Garneau‐Rosner, C. (2021). An evaluation of the ELEVATE program for couples: Considering vulnerabilities and relationship length. Family Relations, 70(1), 327-351. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12502
Cooper, E., Adler‐Baeder, F., & McGill, J. (2021). Individual mental health and couple functioning following couple relationship education participation: Exploring prospective cross‐lagged influences among changes. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47(4), 945-961. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12493
