Real deal (respect. Empowerment. Awareness

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded a cooperative agreement totaling $1,978,734 to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences on September 30, 2025, under the Healthy Marriage Promotion and Responsible Fatherhood Grants program (CFDA 93.086).

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will implement the REAL DEAL (Respect. Empowerment. Awareness. Life) program, delivering the evidence-informed Love Notes curriculum to high school students in Little Rock School District's alternative learning environment schools and the city's summer youth program. The program provides 16 interactive workshops on healthy relationships, communication, conflict resolution, and financial literacy, supported by embedded social workers who offer individualized assistance and referrals. Over the five-year period of performance ending September 29, 2030, REAL DEAL will serve 760 youth, helping them develop relationship skills and future planning abilities intended to produce improved family relationships, reduced disciplinary incidents, and greater readiness for postsecondary education.

Performance takes place in Arkansas. The Healthy Marriage Promotion and Responsible Fatherhood Grants program supports activities to strengthen families through skills-based healthy marriage or relationship education, along with additional services addressing relationship skills and job and career advancement opportunities.

Life) - the university of arkansas for medical sciences will implement the real deal program, delivering the evidence-informed love notes curriculum to high school students in little rock school district's alternative learning environment schools and the city's summer youth program. The program will provide 16 interactive workshops on healthy relationships, communication, conflict resolution, and financial literacy, supported by embedded social workers who offer individualized assistance and referrals. Over five years, real deal will serve 760 youth, helping them develop relationship skills and future planning abilities that lead to improved family relationships, reduced disciplinary incidents, and greater readiness for postsecondary education.