Training Program Overview

CCL trains couples to conduct its NFP Courses in their local communities and consult with student couples in the Sympto-Thermal Method of NFP. The training program was designed to be in full compliance with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Diocesan Development Plan (DDP) standards. There is no fee for the teacher training itself, but candidates are required to have a current CCL membership.

Our Teacher Training Program (TTP) is largely online, and comprised of six modules:

• Introduction (INTR)
• Management (MNGT)
• Theological Thought of John Paul II (THOL)
• NFP Methodology (NFPM)
• Transitions (TRAN)
• Presentation (PRES)

Each module is composed of a series of courses that present a particular set of topics and/or skills. Some courses have required readings; others involve some practical exercises (i.e., chart interpretation, writing a witness talk). Most of the courses culminate with tests, which require a particular passing score in order to move forward. At any point in the training, you may receive assistance from CCL Central, and/or you may retake tests until a passing score is achieved.

After completion of the online teacher training courses, the candidate teaching couple will participate in a six-month mentoring program while teaching their first NFP class series. This program is designed to support the new teaching couple, help build their confidence, and insure that they teach, interpret charts, and follow-up with their students correctly and effectively. [The mentoring program has not yet been developed, but as soon as it becomes available, any couples who are in the training program, but not yet certified, will participate in this program.]

This state-of-the-art training provides a unique way to build your knowledge and develop your skills as you prepare to become an NFP teacher. The online program could take about three to four months to complete, depending on personal schedules and motivation. The online courses do not have to be completed at one sitting; you can exit and re-enter a course later. While we expect you to work as a couple as much as possible in your training, you can work through courses separately if needed. Tests, however, must be completed together.

Our instructional program is designed so that CCL Teaching Couples are provided much more information than what the students receive in their courses. Your body of knowledge will come from various sources, such as:

• Research articles and reports from NFP researchers
• Scientific textbooks and training information from various NFP methods
• The Art of Natural Family Planning^® Teaching Guide
• The Art of Natural Family Planning^® Student Guide
• Case studies
• Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition by Marilyn Shannon
• Is NFP Good? And The Human Body: A Sign of Dignity and a Gift by Fr. Richard Hogan
• Church documents

You will become “well-rounded” as an NFP Teacher through this process because you will be equipped to answer most questions you encounter, yet knowledgeable as to when to refer questions to other experts. As a result this will enable you to confidently teach the CCL NFP method to others and witness to its benefits in your marriage. Once you become certified teachers, you will also receive ongoing continuing education, for example, through avenues like the E-News — a volunteer publication, biennial conventions, online courses, and outside sources such as DDP newsletters. In other words, you will be supported and kept informed so that you can remain current in your teaching.

Application Process

The first step for members interested in becoming certified to teach for CCL is to read the "Principles of CCL," and then complete the Teaching Couple Application Form. It is very important that you read the Principles before submitting the application form.

If you have any questions after reading this information, please contact Pauline Grome at CCL Central, at 800-745-8252, ext. 3105 (local calls: 513-471-2000), or via email.

Once your application has been reviewed and approved by the CCL Central office, you will be enrolled in the Teacher Training Program and will then receive detailed instructions on how to proceed.

Thank you for your interest in our Teacher Training Program!