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Teaching Safety Program Curriculum for Children and Youth

Teaching Safety Program Curriculum for Children and Youth

Child sexual abuse is a chronic, under-reported tragedy in the United States. Studies cited by Prevent Child Abuse America estimate that at least 20% of American women and 5-16% of American men experienced some form of sexual abuse as children. Sexual abuse can occur in all populations, at all socioeconomic and educational levels and across all racial and cultural groups. The hopeful news is that child sexual abuse is preventable — if children, parents, and schools are armed with the knowledge and tools that help them prevent abuse.

Each year, the Diocese of St. Augustine provides age-appropriate lessons for children and youth in parish religious education classes, youth ministry programs, and Catholic schools.

In the Diocese of St. Augustine, the formation of children and youth is accomplished in all Catholic Schools, Parish Religious Education Programs and Youth Ministry using the Circle of Grace Program.  This program was adopted on July 1, 2022 to provide a more Catholic value-centered set of lessons to all children and youth in Pre-K through grade 12.  Families will find that this programming fits well into the religion classroom with its focus on Gospel values and well-planned encounters.  We are pleased that lessons will be offered annually.  Materials are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.  In addition to the student curriculum, there are family pages for each lesson so the conversations can be reinforced in the home.

For information about the lesson plans and education for our children, contact one of the following directors: