FAQ

• Why does AYSO need Child and Volunteer Protection Advocates (CVPA)?
  The CVPA makes sure the child and volunteer protection program in the Region is applied in accordance with the AYSO Safe Haven™ program. There are procedures and policies in place to protect the volunteers and the children, and someone needs to be responsible for implementing them.

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• How do I become a CVPA?
  You must first be appointed, then pass a screening process, then be placed on the Region board, and finally be trained and certified.

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• What are the responsibilities of a CVPA?
  The CVPA has many responsibilities. Overall, it is the CVPA's job to promote and implement the Safe Haven™ Program, including AYSO's Supervision Protocols. Duties include ensuring the proper registration, certification, screening, and reference and background checks of volunteers, as well as conducting face-to-face instruction for all coaches and referees.

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• What training is offered to a CVPA?
  AYSO offers orientation by the Regional Commissioner, Safe Haven™ Certification, Safe Haven^™ educational resources and materials, eAYSO training as well as additional training during Section meetings/conferences/events.

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• What is the time commitment?
  >Speak to your Regional Commissioner about how much time your position requires.<

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• How does AYSO protect its volunteers and athletes?
  Safe Haven™ 
  Safe Haven^™ is a program designed to address a growing need for child and volunteer protection. There are four elements in the Safe Haven™ intervention cycle: Create Policies, Screen Volunteers, Train Volunteers, and Promote Education and Awareness. These are intended to stop child abuse and its agents before they get into the program.

  The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997
  This law grants immunity from certain types of prosecution for volunteers who meet its requirements. In order to receive full protection under the law, AYSO volunteers need must: 1. be properly trained and certified; 2. be performing duties as laid out in a position description; 3. act within the scope of AYSO's Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines.

  AYSO Certification
  AYSO's goal is to provide training and certification for all its volunteers. Certification offers the hope that every AYSO child will be treated with understanding, compassion, and respect.

  Kids Zone^™
  The national media has focused on the negative, even violent, behavior of players, coaches and parents involved in youth sports. Kids Zone™ is a dynamic program targeted to eliminate negative sideline behavior. Kids Zone buttons and signs are distributed throughout the Region and parents are asked to sign the Kids Zone™ Parent Pledge promising to behave within the guidelines of the program.

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• What are AYSO's Supervision Protocols?
  While performing duties related to an AYSO volunteer position, the volunteer is:

  Subject to the bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines of AYSO;

  Under the overall authority of and directly supervised by the Regional Commissioner; and

  To maintain the recommended adult to child supervision ratio of 1:8 or less; that is one adult for every eight or fewer children and two adults (one of whom may be the coach and one of whom should be of the same gender as the group) present at all times. For the protection of both the children and the volunteer, no volunteer should permit himself or herself to be alone with any child or group of children (except his or her own) during AYSO-sponsored activities.

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