New program for African American couples leads to stronger relationships, improved health

URBANA, Ill. – For individuals looking to improve their health in 2021, strengthening your couple relationship may be part of the answer, according to findings from a recent University of Illinois study.

The study examined long-term changes in partners’ health after participating in a new program for two-parent African American families.

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Farmland gift to impact 4-H and child development

URBANA, Ill. - Illinois 4-H and the University of Illinois have been a part of Nann Armstrong’s heritage for multiple generations. With a recent gift of farmland, Armstrong ensured her family’s legacy will continue to impact current and future generations of 4-H members and students in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) Department of Human Development and Family Studies. 

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New online, research-based program aims to strengthen relationships

URBANA, Ill. – Stressors in life, including the challenges of the current COVID-19 pandemic, can take a toll on marriages and other close, intimate relationships. Family studies researchers at the University of Illinois, in partnership with University of Illinois Extension, are addressing this issue by launching a new online program for Illinois couples seeking help for their relationship.

With the recently released Illinois Strong Couples project this help is now just a click away.

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Marriage or not? Rituals help dating couples decide relationship future

URBANA, Ill. ­­­– Rituals such as those centered around holidays and other celebrations play an important part in human relationships. When dating couples engage in rituals together, they learn more about each other. And those experiences can serve as diagnostic tools of where the relationship is going, a University of Illinois study shows.

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U of I receives funding to create, expand mental health resource network for farmers

URBANA, Ill. – Even without the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, agricultural producers experience high levels of anxiety, depression, substance use, and death by suicide. Researchers at the University of Illinois and Illinois Extension are working to ensure producers and their families have the resources and access to services to manage their stress and mental health.

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Dariotis joins Family Resiliency Center as director

URBANA, Ill. - Jacinda K. Dariotis has joined the Family Resiliency Center (FRC) at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as director and as Pampered Chef Ltd. Endowed Chair in Family Resiliency in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). She began the new role Aug. 16.

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Understanding the link between pandemics and intimate partner violence

URBANA, Ill. - While individuals have been encouraged to stay home to protect themselves and others against the spread of coronavirus, for those at risk of experiencing intimate partner violence—or domestic violence—home may not be the safest place during the pandemic.

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Faculty members, staff, teaching assistants honored with Campus Awards for Excellence in Instruction

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Faculty and staff members and graduate teaching assistants at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign this spring were honored for excellence in teaching, mentoring and advising, collectively known as Campus Awards for Excellence in Instruction. Read more.

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TAP continues to offer autism support to community online

URBANA, Ill. – Right now, the best advice Linda Tortorelli can give the parents she and her staff serve through The Autism Program (TAP) is this: “Maintain some kind of routine the best you can, but also be forgiving of yourself.”

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Child Development Laboratory cares for children of essential, critical personnel while continuing to connect with families

URBANA, Ill. – Head teacher Kelli Harris just kicked off her weekly classroom Zoom meeting. As the little faces of each of her 2- and 3-year-olds pop up in the Zoom gallery, Harris knows they are excited to see one another.

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