Couple Support

The Covenant Marriage Movement, in partnership with FOCCUS, Inc., would like to introduce you to FOCCUS.

The Most comprehensive, timely user-friendly Marriage Preparation Inventory available!

FOCCUS is a self-diagnostic inventory designed to help couples learn more about themselves and their unique relationship. It is not a test nor meant as a predictor of success or failure in marriage. It is a tool to help couples name and work through issues before marriage. It is both a starting place and a map of what issues and skills need time and attention in preparing for a covenant marriage.

FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study) provides individualized couple feedback on where each partner stands in regard to topic areas important to marriage. The results of the inventory point to issues and skills that may need time and attention in preparing for a covenant marriage.

FOCCUS is designed to use at three levels. The first level occurs when the individuals read and respond to the FOCCUS statements and when the couple subsequently discusses what they think and feel about the topics. This first level discussion is done before they receive the report of results. Preliminary thinking and sorting occurs during this time. Couples need a minimum of several days for this kind of personal discussion before they work with the report of their FOCCUS results.

Time spent at this first level prepares the couple for the more problematic areas to be discussed at the second level; it often cuts down the processing time needed later with the facilitator.

The second level of use for FOCCUS occurs with the help of a facilitator. Using the couple report, the facilitator works with the couple to look at patterns in their responses, discuss issues, and problem-solve. Most of the Facilitator Manual is to be used in support to the work at the second level of FOCCUS use.

Every couple does not need the third level of FOCCUS. It involves the use of the report and subsequent discussion with the couple to make a referral for specialized assistance. If the couple is resistant or the need is not immediate, the facilitator may recommend the use of special help in the future.

The content for discussion in FOCCUS reflects the current body of knowledge regarding the relationship elements necessary for a successful marriage. There is also content on key contemporary and specialized situations couples may be addressing: couples who cohabit before marriage, dual career marriages, inter-church and second marriages.

FOCCUS was developed to deal with all the basic issues in a couple's relationship but it is unique among inventories in that it was written to reflect the values and ideals of marriage as  sacred. The Marriage Covenant questions in FOCCUS deal with permanency, fidelity, unconditional love, openness to children, and shared faith in God. The same items in modified wording appear in all four editions: General, Christian Non-Denominational, Catholic and Alternate.

FOCCUS is user-friendly for both engaged couples and for those helping to prepare them for marriage. FOCCUS is an inventory that does not require a highly trained professional to administer and it has minimal risk for being misused.

FOCCUS engages a couple quickly in a preparation process by giving them CONTENT for reflection and discussion. It opens up a PROCESS through which a pastor, counselor or trained leadership couple can promote additional discussion, problem-solving and learning.

FOCCUS can be used independently or as part of other preparation processes. Many users employ FOCCUS as an essential "first step" which gives couples a look at their strengths and needs and readies them to move into additional marriage education programs. Other users employ FOCCUS as the center from which the discussion and learning of the preparation process flows.

FOCCUS is comprehensive. It deals with both basic issues and special issues. The content foundational to all relationships is the core of FOCCUS. In the analysis of responses, there is also a specific look at FAMILY OF ORIGIN and DUAL CAREER issues. Patterns around domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse are identified. Additional sections address the concerns of couples who are COHABITING, or who are entering into INTERFAITH or REMARRIAGE.

FOCCUS is designed to be used successfully by both professional and lay facilitators. It can be administered, interpreted and used easily. A Facilitator Notebook provides clear direction for the appropriate use of FOCCUS.

One-day certified-training seminars are being scheduled for various geographical areas to equip clergy and laymen in providing marriage preparation and enrichment through the implementation of FOCCUS and the foundational Bible study on Covenant Marriage. Some associations, state conventions or diocese may provide one-day FOCCUS training through their various offices.

While a formal training program is not required for the use of FOCCUS or the Covenant Marriage Study, training is strongly encoureaged to insure the best implementation of a holistic marriage ministry incorporating FOCCUS and REFOCCUS.

FOCCUS assesses the premarital relationship but it is not a test. The internationally recognized SRI Research Center, Inc. (now Gallup) was employed to determine the reliability and construct validity of FOCCUS as it was developed (1985, 1997, and 2000). The Journal of Marital and Family Therapy (April, 1995) reports the work of independent researchers Williams and Jurich on the predictive validity of FOCCUS.

FOCCUS is affordable. It is available to diverse populations. Because the instrument is directed to pastoral as well as counseling settings, a priority is to keep materials affordable.

There are several scoring options for FOCCUS. A national scoring service is available for $15 a couple. A hand-scoring packet and a PC program for use with either scanner or keypunch is also available. Some countries and geographical areas have a license for scoring. Another option for scoring FOCCUS will be online at: www.foccusinc.com

FOCCUS comes in four editions: General, Christian Non-Denominational, Catholic and Alternate for learning-disabled. The Christian Non-Denominational edition is the edition the Covenant Marriage Movement has chosen to provide. All other editions, including Braille and Spanish translations are available from FOCCUS, Inc. Translations have been approved in Spanish, French, Korean, Vietnamese, Portuguese and Chinese. Other translations are in process.