The new statewide "Twogether in Texas" healthy marriage initiative is offering $60 off Lampasas County couple's marriage license fee if the couple attends a free eight-hour secular healthy marriage workshop.

A workshop will be held in Lampasas on Jan. 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tyson's Corner Retreat, 1135 CR 1045.

Through a provision passed by the Texas Legislature effective September 2008, couples who complete a state-approved eighthour marriage workshop do not have to pay the state's marriage license fee. On Sept. 1, 2008, the fee increased to $60 -- double the previous rate.

Couples completing the eighthour workshop will also have the 72-hour waiting period waived when they purchase their marriage license.

The secular marriage education workshops are offered at no cost to engaged couples.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission recently named Lutheran Social Services of the South as one of 12 regional intermediaries across Texas for the Twogether in Texas Healthy Marriage initiative.

As regional intermediary, LSS will be responsible for ensuring healthy marriage services are available in its 30-county region (extending from Hill County to Hays County and from San Saba County to Grimes County).

"Recent studies show that couples who take pre-marital education classes have a 30 percent higher success rate in their marriages," said Patricia Polega, Director of Marriage Education with LSS.

"Statistics show that children from healthy marriages do better in school, enjoy better physical and mental health, and have a reduced rate of alcohol and substance abuse," said Polega.

"Married couples tend to make more money and live longer lives," continued the director.

"Studies show that couples who take pre-marital education courses like those offered through the Twogether in Texas program stay together longer. We want couples all over Central Texas to reap the benefits of these free workshops," Polega added.

The Twogether in Texas healthy marriage initiative promotes free, skills-based marriage education and provides couples with the tools they need to manage the challenges inherent in relationships.

Research has shown that couples who receive relationship education have more stable relationships and increased favorable outcomes for themselves and their children.

Lutheran Social Services of the South is a 126-year-old agency that serves more than 35,000 children, elderly and poor annually.

Its ministry includes children's residential centers, therapeutic foster care, adoption, children's emergency shelter, senior retirement communities, long-term disaster response and emergency assistance.

For more information on the Twogether in Texas initiative or to register for the Jan. 17 pre-marital education workshop, call Tina Zych at Lutheran Social Services of the South at (512) 454-4611 or e-mail twogether@lsss.org.

For a complete list of Twogether in Texas pre-marital workshops in Central Texas, visit www.lsss.org.