Safe Environment Parent & Guardian Resources
Parent and Guardian Information and Resources
Updated 12/2025
Circle of Grace was developed by the Archidocese of Omaha and is the children’s education component of the Safe Environment training. It serves the dual purpose of educating and informing children and youth about the value of positive relationships with God and others.
Through Circle of Grace, adults assist children and youth to recognize that each of us lives within a Circle of Grace that holds our very essence in body, mind, heart, soul, and sexuality. Children and youth are taught to identify and maintain appropriate physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual boundaries; recognize when boundary violations are about to occur; and demonstrate how to take action when boundaries are threatened or violated. Circle of Grace is clinically sound and grounded in the Catholic tradition. Its strong parent component means parents can actively participate in their children’s education and formation.
In 2004, the traditional Circle of Grace was developed by the Archdiocese of Omaha’s safe environment committee. The committee was composed of those who do direct ministry and education with youth and families. These members included clergy, religious education, schools, youth ministry, mental health, social work, ministry coordinators and community members. The goal of the committee was to develop a faith based and clinically sound curriculum that would meet the USCCB’s Charter requirements and much more. The committee believed it was important to let God into the arena of keeping kids safe. Early on the committee experienced the Holy Spirit guidance to be passionate about protecting our youth and honoring our Catholic Faith. The curriculum was copyrighted in 2007. It is updated every five years, most recently June 2023.
The Family, Faith, and Circle of Grace Faith Formation curriculum was developed by the Archdiocese of Omaha in 2022 and is copyrighted. This additional curriculum was in response to our own parishes and partner dioceses desiring a comprehensive approach to incorporating Circle of Grace to their family faith formation programs. The curriculum was reviewed and approved by several religious education and youth ministry directors. It will be updated in 2027.
© 2022 Circle of Grace Partners
These resources will help you understand the Circle of Grace program that will be provided to your child(ren) in our Catholic Schools as well as our parish Faith Formation programs.
Circle of Grace brochure - general information
Circle of Grace brochure - Schools grades K-8
Circle of Grace brochure - Family, Faith and Circle of Grace (family-based catechesis)
Circle of Grace brochure - Parish Religious Education grades K-8
Circle of Grace brochure - parish/school youth ministry and high school
This overview will help you understand the Circle of Grace curriculum that will be provided to your child(ren) in our Catholic Schools as well as our parish Faith Formation programs. The material is developmentally appropriate for each age group.
Circle of Grace Curriculum Outline for K-12
This is an excellent guidebook created by Virtus for parents, guardians and other trusted adults to help teach children about boundaries and personal safety.
Safe Environment Program - Teaching-Boundaries-and-Safety-Guide
English - Access Document
Spanish - Access Document
Red flags that indicate if a child is at risk for internet victimization.
Steps to take if a child night be communicating with an offender via the Internet.
There are a lot of great websites that provide information to guide parents in talking with their children about abuse, and to help them ascertain what has occurred and how to address it. We hope the information will be helpful and useful for you.
Archdiocese of Seattle Family & Parenting Website
What if Your Child Discloses Sexual Abuse
If You Suspect a Child is Being Harmed
National Straight Tal Prevention Guide for Parents
The following websites have information for parents providing guidance for abuse or boundary-crossing that takes place over the internet. The last two websites are services that help parents or youth remove online nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit photos and videos taken before the child was 18.
Common Sense Media - ratings and reviews that parents trust
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
King County Sexual Resource Center