The Operation Us project began at Forest Institute with a 2006 Healthy Marriage Demonstration Grant received from the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance. In partnership with Ozarks Marriage Matters, the Pregnancy Care Center and ADsmith Communications, Forest Institute began offering relationship education in a 29-county area of SW Missouri. The federal funds allowed us to offer relationship education workshops to teens, single adults and adult couples at prices that were remarkably affordable. Forest Institute partnered with over 70 organizations during the 5 years of this grant and, in conjunction with these partners, was able to provide relationship education to more than 14,000 individuals.
Although the Federal funding for the original project has reached its end, Forest Institute continues to support the efforts of Operation Us as we continue to offer relationship education workshops and branch out into new and innovative ways of supporting the individuals, couples and families in our communities.
Funding for relationship education workshops and many events provided through Operation Us was initially provided through a grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (Grant #: 90FE0110). Additional support came from Forest Institute, ADsmith, the Pregnancy Care Center and the contributions of our project partners throughout the 29-county grant area.
As we realign our efforts for program delivery, workshops and events will be funded through additional grants and participant fees, as applicable.