UGA experts available to comment on healthy relationships
For Valentine’s Day
January 30, 2012
Print- Writer:
- Mickey Montevideo
- Contact:
- Mickey Y. Montevideo
Athens, Ga. – In recognition of Valentine’s Day, University of Georgia experts are available to provide commentary on healthy romantic relationships.
Saint Valentine’s Day is an annual commemoration held Feb. 14. It is traditionally a day in which companions express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending greeting (Valentine) cards.
UGA experts on the subject of healthy relationships and their contact information are listed below. For more information, contact UGA News Service at 706/542-8083 or news@uga.edu.
Ted Futris, Associate Professor and Family Life Specialist
College of Family and Consumer Sciences
706/542-7566, tfutris@uga.edu
Futris’ research and programmatic interests stem from three current trends impacting the health and stability of today’s families and consequently the well-being of children: The fragility of marital relationships and the increasing prevalence of single-parent and unmarried couple families; the continued (albeit declining) occurrence of adolescent pregnancies and births; and an increasing number of fathers who are missing contributors in the lives of their biological children. His current efforts focus on the establishment of programs, resources and community initiatives that support individuals and couples preparing for, developing and enriching healthy relationships and healthy marriages. For an article by Futris on the subject, see http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/index.cfm?public=viewStory&pk_id=3360.
Donna Leigh Bliss, Associate Professor, B.S.W. Program Director, Interim Associate Dean
School of Social Work
706/542-2585, dlbliss@uga.edu
Bliss has more than 20 years of clinical and administrative practice experience in the fields of addictions and mental health. Her research and areas of interest include spirituality, child sexual abuse and other forms of trauma, family and maternal/child health, leadership development, university-community collaborations, use of digital technology to enhance student learning, and program and organizational development and evaluation.
Obie Clayton Jr., Donald L. Hollowell Distinguished Professor of Social Justice and Civil Rights Studies
School of Social Work
706/542-7662, oclayton@uga.edu
Editor of the acclaimed book An American Dilemma Revisited: Race Relations in a Changing World, Clayton is best known for his service and research in examining race relations, urban inequality, demography and the family. For the past six years, he has used a grant to teach relationship skills and financial literacy to underserved and at-risk populations.
He has served on the boards of the Supreme Court of Georgia’s Commission on Children, Marriage and Law as well as the Atlanta Crime Commission. He currently serves on the board of the Atlanta-based Disability Resource Group.
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Filed under: Culture / Living, Behavioral Health, Parenting / Family, University News
