Educating Children and Youth

School children using digital tablet outsideChildren and Youth Personal Safety Instruction

Children and Youth Personal Safety Instruction

Catholic schools and parish faith formation, sacramental preparation and youth ministry programs throughout the archdiocese began teaching children and youth about personal safety and sexual abuse prevention in 2006.

The Personal Safety Lessons (PSL) teach children and youth basic skills that help keep them safe from dangerous or abusive situations, either in person or online. Young people are taught to check with a trusted adult first, say no when confronted with an uncomfortable situation, and are encouraged to share concerns with a trusted adult.

The lessons approved by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are age-appropriate and respect the parents’ role as their children’s primary educators. Archbishop Bernard Hebda’s Promulgation Letter regarding PSLs is available in English and Spanish.

Approved Curriculum

Office for the Protection of Children and Youth (OPCY) reviews and approves curriculum vendors to ensure PSL materials used in the archdiocese are current, relevant, and supportive of Catholic teaching.

Parents, educators and others can find out more about key messages children and youth receive in each personal safety program by contacting the Safe Environment Coordinator at your parish or school.

The PSL teach sound safety messages within the context of faith formation programs in parishes and Catholic schools. You can see how Principles of Child Protection Catechesis align with scripture and Catholic teaching.

Additional Resources for Parents and Guardians

Teaching Boundaries and Safety Guide – for Caring Adults, Parents and Guardians (English)

Guía para la enseñanza de los límites y la seguridad – para los adultos, padres de familia y guardianes conscientes (Español)

The online resources linked below align with PSL taught in parishes and Catholic schools. Parents can utilize information in these resources to reinforce those safety messages at home.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) committee provides comprehensive planning and recommendations concerning Child Protection.

Resources including a collection of Tip Sheets on several online safety topics for parents, teens and tweens can be found on NetSmartz.org.

VIRTUS Online provides a concise list of dos and don’ts for parents and other caring adults in their printable handout Practical Advice for Parents on Preventing Child Sexual Abuse.

If a child discloses abuse, the U.S. Department of Justice’s website offers help and support for parents of children who have been sexually abused and victims of other sexual crimes.

The FTC (Fair Trade Commission of the federal government) offers information for parents about keeping kids safe online.

PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center helps raise awareness about bullying and offers tools to combat it.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has developed several publications helpful to parents.

The DecisionData.org website offers resources for parents about Internet safety.

Sammy’s Guide to Internet Safety – An interactive learning resource for parents and educators to teach kids how to enjoy the internet safely while providing fun activities and games.

The National Initiative to End Corporal Punishment is championed by The NY Foundling, the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, the US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children and Stop Spanking. The USCCB is joining a multitude of other child abuse prevention organizations, religious leaders, and health organizations to end violence against children. www.stopspanking.org (Download, print and post this poster.)