MADISON — For the first time, people interested in becoming a Creighton Model Natural Family Planning (NFP) teacher will not have to travel to Omaha, Neb. The training program will be offered in the Diocese of Madison starting in May.
Informational sessions to hear an overview of the program and ask questions will be held on Friday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison. People need only attend one of these sessions.
“We are really excited about this,” said Alison Hetue, NFP coordinator in the Diocese of Madison. “We are encouraging anyone who loves NFP to consider learning how to share it with others. We definitely can use more teachers in our diocese, especially outside of Dane and Sauk Counties.”
Science-based model
The Creighton Model FertilityCare System and the new women’s health science of NaPro Technology have been developed through the research and education effort of Dr. Thomas W. Hilgers, director of the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction and clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Neb.
The model is a medically standardized modification of the Billings Ovulation Method, which links family planning with women’s reproductive and gynecologic health.
Becoming a teacher
Hetue said those considering becoming teachers in the Creighton Model should be people who are enthusiastic about Natural Family Planning. They don’t need to be current users of the Creighton Model.
Those taking the course should feel called to teach women and couples how to navigate their fertility; provide comprehensive, professional, and individualized services; help couples understand their gifts of sexuality and fertility; and assist infertile couples with achieving pregnancy in a natural and cooperative way.
Those applying for the program must meet one of the following criteria: a registered nurse with a current license; an individual with a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree; an individual with an associate degree/diploma such as licensed practical nurse, human services practitioner, or the equivalent of two years of college study.
The program will include two phases of week-long courses: Phase I will be held from May 5 to 12 and Phase II will be from November 5 to 10. Cost is $3,550, which includes tuition and books. Application deadline is March 15.
For more information, go to www.madisondiocese.org/nfp Those coming to the information sessions in February are asked to RSVP by contacting Alison Hetue at [email protected] or 608-821-3134.