How much should I budget to implement Our Whole Lives?
It depends on which components of the program you are using. For a list of curriculum prices, consult the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Bookstore. You will need one copy of Our Whole Lives and one copy of Sexuality and Our Faith per program leader. In addition, The Parent Guide to Our Whole Lives is essential for the teachers and each parent of children in the Grades K-1 and 4-6 programs. The Advocacy Manual for Sexuality Education, Health, and Justice is helpful for religious professionals and lay leaders who are implementing the program. UUA Bookstore Value Pacs provide significant savings. Please note that The Parent Guide is not included in the K-1 or 4-6 Value Pacs, so order it when you order the other resources for these ages.Congregations must also budget for leader training and curriculum implementation. Leader training costs vary according to location. Registration for a training weekend for Grades 7-9, 10-12, or Adult typically runs in the range of $100-200 U.S., and registration for a training day for Grades K-1 or 4-6 typically runs under $100 U.S. Also budget the cost of transportation to the training workshops. Your district religious education committee or program consultant can assist you in preparing a realistic budget for training in your district. Please refer to the Planning Guide for Our Whole Lives Leader Trainings (PDF) if you are planning a training. This guide is also available from the UUA Religious Education Department, your District Office, or any Our Whole Lives trainer. Leader trainings are sponsored by districts, Unitarian Universalist conference centers, and other groups, not by the UUA headquarters.
Curriculum implementation expenses include the costs of photocopying handouts, purchasing supplies, purchasing or borrowing resource books, and providing refreshments. $25 - 200 U.S. would typically cover these expenses. The amount varies significantly depending on what resources your congregation already has and what resources you are able to borrow. See curricula for details.
Last updated on Monday, June 4, 2007.
