Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1546662
PRIORITIZING PLAYER SAFETY he safety of its players is USA Hockey's top priority, both on and off the ice. USA Hockey works with leading organizations, including the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the U.S. Center for SafeSport, to develop policies and programs that protect participants and create an environment free from misconduct. ON THE ICE USA Hockey enforces a strict standard of rules that supports skill development and a positive environment for every participant. USA Hockey has long led the effort to enhance player safety, from neck and spinal injury prevention through the Heads Up, Don't Duck campaign to concussion education programs developed with leading medical experts. USA Hockey's rules around body checking are built with player safety as a top priority, not just competition. The focus is on teaching defenders to win possession through good stick-on- puck play rather than a big hit. Learn more at usahockey.com/ declaration. OFF THE ICE USA Hockey's off-ice safety efforts fall under the Safe Sport Program, which includes rigorous policies to protect participants T from all forms of misconduct and abuse, along with a streamlined, neutral process for reporting concerns. The Safe Sport Program prohibits sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, hazing, bullying, and threats, and sets policies for specific hockey environments such as one-on-one interactions, locker rooms, social media and electronic communications, transportation, lodging, and billeting. The program also includes education and awareness training, a background check program, and processes for reporting, responding to, and monitoring concerns of abuse. SAFE SPORT TRAINING: Required annually for all coaches, officials, managers, volunteers, and players 17 and older in an age category that includes minor athletes, before their first interaction with minor participants each season. BACKGROUND CHECKS: Required every other year for all coaches, officials 18 and older, 1 8 | 2 0 2 6 - 2 7 U S A H O C K E Y N E W PA R E N T H A N D B O O K One-on-one interactions between an adult and a minor athlete, including a coach, must be observable and interruptible by another adult, with exceptions only for emergencies.