As a youth-serving organization, Lakeshore Youth Athletic Association (LYAA) considers the safety and well-being of the youth in our programs a top priority. We prohibit and strive to proactively address reports of this type of conduct, even if its means that someone will be embarrassed or upset. We want to hear about problems or concerns, and we will strive to act on them in a fair way in accordance with our procedures.

We will report suspected abuse to the proper law enforcement agencies.

LYAA has adopted the following operational procedures in an effort to provide a safe environment for our coaches, participants, and families.

1) The Coach Recruitment process shall include the following:

a)  Background Check

b)  CDC Concussion Training

2) An Abuse Prevention Orientation will be conducted before every season

These procedures will be reviewed with coaches, volunteers, and parents each season. The Positive Coaching Alliance/Kidpower™ video Protecting Youth Athletics from Sexual Abuse will be shown and the information sheet, “Protecting Youth Athletics from Sexual Abuse: Key Actions for Parents & Coaches” will be distributed by email to every coach, volunteer and parent.

3) Prohibited Behavior

1. Use of degrading language or behavior. Coaches are also responsible for stopping disrespectful behavior between team members, including sexual harassment.
2. Threatening or intentionally inflicting physical injury upon anyone, especially a minor. Coaches are also responsible for stopping threatening behavior by players.
3. Committing any sexual offense against a minor, or engaging in any sexual contact with a minor.
4. Making a sexual advance, or engaging in other verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature with a minor.
5. One-adult/one child interaction except in an emergency where following this policy would be dangerous to the child. In an emergency situation, the coach or volunteer must contact a representative of LYAA to inform him/her of this contact and the reason for it. If a child is receiving individual instruction or working with a coach, this activity must be in a public setting rather than behind closed doors.

4) Reporting of Suspected Child Sexual Abuse

1. The LYAA President should receive reports of sexual abuse or other inappropriate conduct. This person will promptly notify the proper law enforcement agencies.
2. All coaches, volunteers, parents and program participants are directed to report any incident of abuse or suspected abuse that they witness or that is reported to them to the LYAA President. Please note that this does not preclude individuals from reporting abuse or suspected abuse to the proper law enforcement agencies.
3. Should a suspected incidence of abuse be reported, the coach/volunteer/player in question may be temporarily suspended from duties/play while an investigation takes place.
4. The LYAA President, when appropriate, shall communicate reports of child sexual abuse to an Iredell-Statesville Schools representative. The confidentiality of anyone who makes such a report will be protected.

These procedures are based off of information provided by Kidpower, Teenpower, Fullpower International. If you want more youth sports safety resources. You can visit their website at http://www.kidpower.org/youth-sports/

Free Kid Power Videos: “Protecting Youth Athletes from Sexual Abuse: http://www.kidpower.org/youth-sports/child-abuse-prevention/

To report any inappropriate conduct or suspicious activity, please contact the LYAA President at [email protected]