Athens, Ga. – Engaged couples in Clarke, Oglethorpe and Oconee counties are being sought for the Pre-marital Preparation and Relationship Enhancement program provided by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
“With a divorce rate that hovers around 50 percent in Georgia, it’s clear that pre-marital counseling and education can provide couples the insight and support they need for a successful marriage,” said Ted Futris, an assistant professor in the FACS child and family development department. “In addition, a state law passed in 2005 offers couples a discount on their marriage license if they receive at least six hours of premarital instruction.”
Couples have two options for the program. They can enroll for a series of six one-on-one sessions with a trained counselor or attend an all-day workshop. One-on-one sessions will be determined by the schedules of the participants and counselors. A day-long program, limited to 12 couples, is scheduled for Saturday, April 10.
Sixty-five couples participated in the PREPARE program in 2009 and all of them reported positive changes in their relationships, including improved communication, greater satisfaction with their partner, and feeling more confident that their relationship will be successful.
Registration for either option is $60, but couples who complete the program will qualify for a $35 discount on their marriage license.
For more information, see www.gamarriages.com or contact Ted Futris at 706/542-7566 or tfutris@uga.edu.
