Safe Environment Training for Children & Youth

All dioceses throughout the United States are required to provide age-appropriate Safe Environment training for children and youth in parish catechetical programs and Catholic schools.  The lessons help students understand appropriate and inappropriate boundaries and behaviors—whether involving peers, adults, and family members.  They also emphasize a student's right to remove themselves from uncomfortable situations and the importance of informing a parent or safe adult when something does not feel right.

Parish catechetical programs provide the Circles of Care curriculum to students in grades Pre-K through 12.  For more information, please click here. 

Catholic schools within the Diocese implement Child Lures Prevention: Think First and Stay Safe program for students in grades Pre-K through 6.  For students grades 7 - 12,  junior and senior high school faculty collaborate with community professionals to present on Safe Environment topics such as sexting, internet safety, personal boundaries, and healthy relationships.

Each year, more than 9,000 children and youth in  parish catechetical programs and Catholic Schools throughout the Diocese receive age-appropriate Safe Environment training.

Promulgation letter from Bishop Lucia for 2024 - 2025

Directions for completing 2025 -2026 Circles of Care Tally Sheet

2025 - 2026 Circles of Care Tally Sheet Form

Circles of Care lessons