Ted Futris

Ted Futris is a Professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia, affiliated with the Human Development and Family Science department. He serves as the Graduate Coordinator and directs the Couple and Relationship Enrichment (CARE) Laboratory, focusing on evidence-based relationship education programs.

• Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2000)
• M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies (1997)
• B.A. in Psychology/Child and Family Development from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1994)

His research emphasizes family health, relationship education, and coparenting, particularly through federally funded initiatives like Project F.R.E.E. and ELEVATE. He evaluates how programs impact individual and couple well-being, with attention to delivery methods (in-person vs. virtual).

Recent work explores racial dialogue among White college students, predictors of relationship dissolution, religious transmission in adolescence, and foster caregiver mental health. His projects often integrate resilience frameworks and stress-adaptation models.

• National Council on Family Relations Fellow (2021)
• Bill and June Flatt Outstanding Extension Award (2021)
• Chris Todd Outstanding Outreach Award (2021)
• Margaret E. Arcus Family Life Educator Award (2018)

He contributes to editorial boards and community capacity-building efforts, including statewide outreach programs at healthyrelationships.uga.edu. His lab, CARE, is central to advancing family life education and policy.