Background screening program aims to protect USSA athletes from abuse

Background screening program aims to protect USSA athletes from abuse{mosimage}The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association has introduced a comprehensive background screening program for all of its employees, member coaches and officials while also implementing a strict policy on abuse, molestation and sexual harassment.

USSA is a youth sports organization with more than 75 percent of its athlete membership age 17 and younger. To ensure that its athletes live and train in a safe environment, USSA has contracted with the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) to conduct the background screens. NCSI works in partnership with the National Council of Youth Sports, which serves organizations representing more than 52 million boys and girls participating in youth sports across the country.

The no-cost screening program is now under way, and among the key items NCSI will be researching are convictions including felonies, driving under the influence, sex-related crimes, drug-related crimes and identity verification.

USSA will now require background screening as a condition of employment for all coaches and officials, who must register online for a screening within 30 days after notification.

USSA will not finalize any coach or official for membership until it has received a “green light” from NCSI. If a coach or official receives a “red light” after the screening, that person will be notified immediately by NCSI and he or she will have the opportunity to dispute the findings through a formal process.

In addition to USSA coaches and officials, clubs in the USSA Club Insurance Program will now be required to screen any volunteers who have contact with minors who aren’t USSA members.