Q. What does the Wyoming Healthy Marriage Initiative do? And Why?

A. The Wyoming Healthy Marriage Initiative, working under a federal grant, strives to strengthen communities and families across our state by: forming regional healthy marriage coalitions and regional lending libraries; offering classes, trainings and resources aimed at increasing the number of strong healthy marriages; promoting the family unit; teaching teens the value of healthy relationships; encouraging pre-marital education for engaged couples and those seriously considering marriage; providing marriage enrichment courses for already married couples; and teaching the skills necessary for strong relationships. We believe that marriages and families are our state’s most important and vital resource. We are here to give important tips and tools to married couples, teens just entering the dating world, engaged couples, those considering marriage, stepparents, stepfamilies, and singles alike through a variety of classes, workshops, media messages, and a bi-monthly newsletter.

Q. Why does everything I see or hear say “For Ever After”?

A. The Wyoming Healthy Marriage Initiative is here to help individuals and couples learn the skills they need to create and sustain lifelong marriages. We want to help couples make it through the dating maze, survive the wedding and to help them enjoy their fairy tale life For Ever After!

We know that there are daily trials and struggles that every marriage faces, and we believe that if given the right set of tools and education, most marriages can be both healthy and happy! Nothing comes without effort and that’s why we make it easy for you to attend classes (at little or no cost), read articles designed to give you tips and tools you can use right away, or browse our website for more, more, more!

No matter what stage of life you’re in, we want to help you make it to the “For Ever After” you’ve been dreaming of! So what are you waiting for? Dive right in! Keep reading here on the web for helpful tips, Links and information, check out our Upcoming Classes, Borrow a Book or DVD from our Lending Library, or download Brochures filled with tips and tools. Keep checking back for updates! You’re taking steps in the right direction to make your marriage the stuff dreams are made of!

Q. Is marriage education only for married couples?

A. Absolutely not. People learn about relationships and marriage from birth, learning and absorbing the patterns their parent's, trusted friends, media, and others model for them. As they begin experiencing their own romantic relationships in their teen years or as young adults, the Wyoming Healthy Marriage Initiative is here to offer marriage and relationship education to everyone from teens to seniors...no matter what stage of life you’re in.

Q. Is marriage education the same as counseling?

A. Basically, marriage education is teaching people healthy relationship skills. Unlike counseling, it doesn't focus on discussing specific problems or situations. Instead, it focuses on giving people knowledge about what makes relationships successful, and having them practice skills that can make a difference in their own relationship. If you have specific problems or concerns, we urge you to consider talking with a counselor. You can find a listing of counselors in our Wyoming Directory of Marriage and Family Counselors/Providers

Q. What should I look for in a marriage counselor?

A. We believe couples seeking counseling should look for a therapist trained in marriage and family therapy, not just individual therapy. We highly recommend checking out the National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists. They offer common questions about Marriage Friendly Therapists and “Questions to Ask your Counselor” that can help you find a counselor that has the necessary training as well as the values that support healthy, happy marriages.

Q. When will your programs start in my area?

A. Our plan is to provide many opportunities around the state each year. If you are interested in having a class in your neck of the woods, please call us at 1-866-WYO-FAMS or send us an email to info@wyofams.org telling us what class you’re interested in. We’ll do our best to get you the resources, classes, tips and tools you need to start a great marriage, or make a good marriage Great!

Q. How do I get involved in what you're doing?

A. We're so glad you asked! The best way to start is by checking out our “How Do I Get Involved?” section of our website. This area of the web is helpful to you if you are a counselor, pastor, or a concerned citizen looking for ways to champion the cause of marriage.

You can also sign up to receive our bi-monthly newsletter filled with tips, tools, and articles designed to bring a little home education to your mailbox!

If you are a church, business, or a location where individuals, couples, or families are frequently present, you may want to join out network of Point of Contact locations around the state. It’s easy and FREE to do too! You will receive quarterly messages, including a letter, calendar of events, a poster, 25 brochures, and a brochure stand on a variety of topics of interest to families, couples and individuals in Wyoming.

If you have other suggestions, please Email us at info@wyofams.org and let us know what you're thinking. We'll find a way for you to get involved!

Q. Is divorce ever necessary?

A. The Wyoming Healthy Marriage Initiative does not promote marriage at any cost, but rather, we believe that the vast majority of marriages can be happy and healthy when the couples put in the time and effort to learn healthy relationship skills, such as: conflict resolution, communication, anger management, financial management, love languages, and many others.

The Wyoming Healthy Marriage Initiative is NOT about:

• Coercing anyone to marry or stay in an unhealthy relationship
• Discrediting single parents, or diminishing the important work they do
• Criticizing those who choose divorce or are divorced
• Promoting marriage as the only solution for all problems in child and family well-being

Q. What do you say to the woman who's in an abusive marriage?

A. Safety is always the first consideration. We have resources to help anyone who comes to us in this type of situation. If you need help or would like to talk to someone, please call the

US National Domestic Violence Hotline at
1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224

The Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
is one of our grant partners, and they have locations around the state to help serve your needs, answer your questions, and get you the help you need to get and remain safe.
*Make sure you are at a safe computer before logging on*

SAFETY ALERT:
If you are in danger, please call 911
For instances of Sexual Assault,
please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Q. Do you advocate for any issues?

A. Our activity is primarily educational. We teach people the skills they need to develop and sustain healthy marriages. Our classes begin with teens, teaching them how to recognize healthy relationships and how to make good dating choices, and continue on to cover any stage of life you may be in (engaged, living together, married, raising a family, or a part of a stepfamily), covering topics such as how to select a good mate, prepare for marriage, make a good marriage great, and adjust to the empty nest or situations in a new stepfamily. Check out Upcoming Classes in your area – Sign Up Today!

Q. Are you a religious group?

A. We are a values-based organization. We believe a healthy marriage is the best option for the well-being of adults and children. We want to help couples create and sustain lifelong marriages.

Q. Who provides your funding?

A. The US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. We are a “2006 Healthy Marriage Grantee,” and are proud to bring marriage and relationship education to the great state of Wyoming!

Q. How do I sign up for one of your classes?

A. Visit the Upcoming Classes area of this website for complete information. You can even register online!

Have a question that you don't see answered here?
Call us at 1-866-WYO-FAMS or
send us an email at info@wyofams.org.
We’d love to hear from you!