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Was The Scholarship Worth It?
Men Coaching Girls A Special Problem?
Should Background Checks Be Mandatory?
Keeping Kids Safe

The solution? One is to make background checks on coaches mandatory. The United States Youth Soccer Association's National Risk Management Program is studying ways to conduct background checks on coaches and other adults who work with children in youth soccer to eliminate from the coaching ranks child molesters and others convicted of crimes against children.

In Texas, the South Texas Youth Soccer Association has adopted the use of a volunteer/employee disclosure statement. Every adult associated with the program has to complete the form before working with children.

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The Ohio Youth Soccer Association has gone further. In August 1997, the association approved a policy designed to create a safe and secure environment for all players that is fast becoming a model for all other youth sports. A prominent component of Ohio's program is KidSafe^TM, which is designed to exclude any adult with a documented history of molestation, sexual abuse, exploitation, physical abuse or any other crime against a minor, and certain crimes against other adults. The policy is applied to coaches, employees of the association, league board of directors and managers who come into direct contact with players.

Another important component of the KidSafe^TM program deals with the safety of players who are outside the presence of parents or guardians for extended periods, such as during travel to tournaments or training camps. The policy sets out nine rules, covering everything from medical history forms, driving rules for adults, and safety.

Parents should push for their club, league or state association to make disclosure forms, background checks, and programs like Ohio's KidSafe^TM mandatory.

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Article Updated: July 6, 2006

 Abuse, Harassment And Neglect: The Pain Of Emotional Injuries
 Recognizing The Warning Signs Of Sexual Abuse
 What You Should Do If Your Child Reports Harassment/Abuse/Neglect
 Preventing Harassment And Abuse In Youth Sports: What To Say At Home

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