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AUGUST 2019 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 33 has completed the Core Center for SafeSport Training. The Refresher Course generally takes 30 minutes or less to complete. There is no cost to members of USA Hockey to complete either training course. T r a i n i n g m u st b e c o m p l et e d b e f o r e a person begins having regular contact with minor athletes, or if the person does not have regular contact, not more than 45 days after beginning their current role. Training for Players 17 and Over Players 17 years of age or older on or before Dec. 31 of that playing season and who play on a team in a classification that allows minor age players must complete SafeSport Training before they can participate in on- or off-ice training. This requirement applies to all teams in the age classifications Youth, Girls, High School, Junior Hockey, Flex Hockey and Disabled Hockey programs that allow both minor ag e and adult ag e players, and to officials who are turning 17 before Dec. 31. Players and officials that complete the train- ing prior to turning 18 will be required to provide parental consent, which is included as part of your USA Hockey registration.) Youth Athlete Training USA Hockey will be offering age-specific SafeSport Training to youth athletes. This training is not mandatory for participation, and will require parental consent. More information will be coming soon. Mandatory Reporting by Participants All adult members of USA Hockey and per- sons authorized to interact with youth ath- letes are required by the SafeSport code and by law to report actual or suspected sexual misconduct or child abuse to the Center for SafeSport and, when appropriate, to applica- ble law enforcement. The Center will have exclusive jurisdic- tion for the investigation and resolution of such reports. USA Hockey retains the authority to investigate and resolve allega- tions of SafeSport policies that are non-sex- ual in nature. Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies USA Hockey has had locker room, social media & electronic communications, and travel policies in place for several years. These policies have been updated to incor- porate the Center's updated requirements. One-On-One Interactions A new SafeSport policy specifically pro- hibits one-on-one interactions between adult members of USA Hockey, or those authorized by a USA Hockey program to have regular contact with or authority over minors, unless they occur at an observable and interruptible distance by another adult. There are exceptions for emergency cir- cumstances. P Full information on the USA Hockey SafeSport Program can be found in the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook, which can be found at USAHockey.com/safesportprogram. reating and maintaining a safe environment on and off the ice is in the best interest of everyone involved in the game. But even the best programs created at the national level won't do much good if there is no follow through at the grassroots level. That's why USA Hockey is creating a new volunteer position with a focus on player safety. Starting this season, a Player Safety Coordinator will be added to each of USA Hockey's Districts to serve as a resource and to provide guidance on safety policies and share educational materials. This position will also ensure compliance with con- cussion protocol/state statutes, and help to develop an injury reporting platform. "Bringing the focus down to the grassroots will ensure that education and preven- tion programs are in place, player health information is recorded, the concussion protocol is followed and all concussion return to play forms are completed," said Dr. Michael Stuart, USA Hockey's chief medical and safety officer. The ultimate goal, Stuart said, is to have a Player Safety Coordinator within each of the 34 USA Hockey Affiliates and eventually serving at each association and with every team. P C SPREADING SAFETY AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL Since its inception in 2012, the USA Hockey SafeSport program has helped to establish a culture in which every young athlete can participate in a safe environment.