As mentioned in yesterday’s Member Newsletter, we implore you to take inventory of your own athlete protection measures and examine areas where you can become more intentional. This email should serve as a resource to help you bolster your efforts toward athlete protection.
We have established relationships with the following Trusted Resource Partners to better serve you so you may better serve your athletes. Each is an expert in their field and has helped guide initiatives and policies used by the USASF. As a member of the USASF, you are a partner in athlete safety alongside us. We are thankful to have these experts to help focus and inform our efforts and guide us all in education and implementation.
Monique Burr Foundation
95% of child sexual abuse is preventable through education and our partner in athlete protection, Monique Burr Foundation, employs their evidence-based prevention education programs to combat sexual abuse as well as all other forms of abuse. As we strive to protect our All Star athletes from bullying, digital dangers, abuse and exploitation, MBF has become an invaluable resource for USASF and its members. Check out the MBF Athlete Safety Matters® program today (link found below) and explore all of their resources while you’re there. And remember, as a member of USASF you have access to Monique Burr Foundation program and curriculum discounts. Use this as an opportunity to increase athlete safety within your club and, to borrow from MBF, “Help us protect all children. Every child deserves to be safe!”
Positive Coaching Alliance’s mission of creating a positive, character-building youth sports environment that results in “BETTER ATHLETES, BETTER PEOPLE” speaks directly to our Athletes 1st initiative. USASF aims to educate our coaches AND owners in order to help our athletes develop skills that transfer to life outside of the gym or studio. PCA offers interactive online courses and has thousands of multimedia tips and tools for coaches, parents, athletes and leaders available free of charge on PCADevZone.org. We absolutely urge our members to utilize their resources. And while you’re there check out their scholarship and coach award programs (submissions open now!).
Darkness To Light empowers adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse through awareness, education and stigma reduction. By educating our clubs, owners and coaches about utilizing best practices for child safety in their own communities, Darkness To Light programs create undesirable environments for abusers and safe places for our athletes to do what they love - cheer and dance! Visit www.d2l.org to learn more about their work and find out how to take action in your club or community. “Child sexual abuse prevention starts with knowledge and awareness of the problem. Adult education is key.” - Darkness to Light.
Our partner in education, SafeSport, has been utilized by USASF for coaches, personnel, adult athletes and their own staff as a tool to educate about, and bring awareness to, creating safe sporting environments free of abuse and harassment. As their website states, “Prevention starts with team leaders—coaches, trainers, doctors, volunteers, mentors, and even parents. We are committed to training these influencers through our online training courses, guides, and toolkits.”
If you are reading this email, YOU are one of those influencers? Have you had a chance to see what they have available as a resource for you and the parents of athletes in your club? With courses for preschool, K-2, 3-5, middle school and high school students there's a course covering everyone — including the parents! The Parent's Guide To Misconduct is a great resource to share with parents alongside courses for their athletes. Use the link below to find all of these FREE courses and we urge you to share with any adults who can help create a safe environment for your athletes.
While this is just a quick look at each of our Trusted Resource Partners we’re excited to announce we’ll be offering a deeper dive every Monday for our MEMBERSHIP MONDAY! segment coming soon. Not only will we be bringing you more information about these impactful partners, we will also be delivering digestible pieces of your membership to help you reach your fullest potential in athlete protection and beyond.
U.S. All Star Federation, 8275 Tournament Dr., Suite 325, Memphis, TN 38125, US, 901.231.1952
