Called To Protect™ For Youth
As Catholics, we believe that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. Each of us is sacred and our lives – body, mind and soul – should be treated with respect. Called to Protect™ for Youth gives our young people practical tools, in language and medium they can understand, to realize this fundamental teaching of our faith.
Parishes and schools in the Diocese of Austin are required to provide the Called to Protect for Youth program annually for their 6th and 9th graders; students in other middle and high school grades new to the parish/school should also be invited. Students unable to attend are not required to “make up” the session, but information should be made available to the parent to share with the student upon request. Minors wishing to volunteer in “helper roles” are encouraged to attend a CTPY workshop.
To schedule a program, click the button below.
Instructions for a successful Called to Protect™ for Youth session workshop – Information for parishes and schools
- Only trained personnel provided by the diocese can present the program.
- The Called to Protect for Youth program is not part of the human sexuality or religion curriculum in Catholic schools and is not to replace the catechetical curriculum in parish religious education programs.
- Each parish/school will have to determine the best “format” to present the workshop. The options are: three, one-hour class sessions integrated into the regular curriculum or a 3-4 hour “retreat format” at a time outside of the regular class schedule. Ideally the middle school and high school programs would be held separately, but if the size of the parish makes combining age groups more feasible, enough adult assistants (catechists or teachers) must be available to divide up the group for the activity portions of the workshop. If smaller, neighboring parishes need to combine to organize a workshop, again the adult assistants would divide up the groups by parish for the activity portions of the workshop.
- The facilitator for this program has been trained by the diocese. It will be important that the adult assistants (catechists or teachers) who work with your youth on a regular basis receive and review the program information received on the workshop confirmation form and meet with the facilitator before the beginning of the first session, so that they can receive instructions regarding their role during each of the sessions.
- It is recommended that presentations be limited to a ratio of approximately 50 students to one facilitator. If your group is larger than 60 students, please request two facilitators.
- A DVD or VHS player and large screen are needed to present the three videos. A sound system may be needed .
- If the program is offered outside of “regular” class time, ample advance notification must be given to parents to ensure attendance by their children.
- Please provide the information for parents well in advance of the workshop (either printing the material or referring parents to the above info link), which will reference parents to http://www.praesidiuminc.com/ctp_clips.php to view clips from the CTPY series. A “program preview” for parents may be requested, if it can be arranged with the facilitator. The volunteer facilitator is not required to provide a program preview, but may be able to arrive in advance of the workshop for parents to view the materials. Either option should be requested when arranging the workshop.
- If parents do not want their child to attend, they must complete the waiver form before the first session. The waiver is included in the materials the parish/school receives upon confirmation of the workshop and can be given to parents upon request.
- Parents are welcome to observe the program, but the program is not intended for younger children and they should not be present at the time of the sessions (childcare should be found for them). Parish staff will greet the students and parents at the door and direct them to appropriate areas. Parents may not sit with their students or interact in the program at any time.
- Materials needed for the first activity are poster board and markers. One poster board and a set of markers should be available for each group of three to four students. (Also for Option 1, Part Three – check with facilitator.)
- Following the final session, please forward a list of names of all students – listed by grade - who participated in the sessions, as well as a list of those who were exempted by waiver forms (keep your waiver forms at your site in a CTPY file), to the Office of Ethics and Integrity in Ministry, Diocese of Austin, PO Box 15405, Austin, TX 78761-5405, ATTN: Called to Protect for Youth or email the information to the Coordinator of Ethics and Integrity in Ministry at emily - hurlimann @ austindiocese.org.
- The student surveys are not required, but provide valuable evaluation material. Please ask your students to complete them a week to one month after the sessions, then collect them and return them to the EIM Office, at the address above. The journals may be used if you believe they will be used by your students – coordinate with the facilitator prior to the workshop.
- If the retreat format is used, it is recommended that snacks not be provided until half way through the second session.