As a condition of membership, all USASA members agree to abide by the SafeSport Code.
The USASA prohibits the following conduct:
- Sexual Misconduct
- Physical Misconduct
- Emotional Misconduct
- Bullying, Threats and Harassment
- Hazing
- Willfully Tolerating Misconduct
Any member of USASA who is appointed to a position of authority over, or who has frequent contact with athletes must clear criminal background screening and complete SafeSport training every two years with a refresher required every other year. Participating Adults are required to complete training concerning child abuse prevention no later than January 1, 2019, or within the first 45 days of initial membership. This includes USASA members holding a coaching, officials or judges membership.
Every USASA member must report suspected violations of the SafeSport Code. If you suspect that a child is experiencing misconduct of a sexual nature, don’t investigate yourself. Call the SafeSport hotline and local child protection authorities (Police or Child Welfare Office) and report it to the experts who have the skills to investigate the matter. If you have a doubt on whether conduct is occurring, please err on the side of reporting. Conduct which does not involve sexualized conduct but which may violate one of the six categories of prohibited conduct may be reported to to
SafeSport Helpline
The Center for SafeSport provides 24-hour support via the SafeSport Helpline or by calling 866.200.0796.
Reporting Suspected Violations of Sexualized Conduct
https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern/
RAINN National Sexual Abuse Hotline
If you have personally experienced sexual abuse and need help, please contact the RAINN national sexual abuse hotline at 1-800-656 HOPE (4673) or visit https://www.rainn.org/
USOC SafeSport Programs
The USOC provides a wide range of SafeSport resources, including online education and awareness. All coaches and those in a position of authority over athletes are required to take the online SafeSport course.
USASA Background Screening
To help ensure SafeSport environment, the USASA requires all staff, club coaches, club officials and club volunteers to undergo background screening. USASA is a youth sports organization with more than 75% of its athlete members under the age of 18. In keeping with the standards of many youth sports organizations, schools, and recreational programs in the United States today, USASA has implemented a strict SafeSport policy on abuse, molestation and sexual harassment. To support this policy, the organization has implemented a background screening process to help ensure that the environment in its athletic programs at every level is as safe as possible.
This process includes all USASA employees, member coaches, judges/officials and volunteer members. It is a big undertaking for the organization. But it will help us maintain a high standard among youth sports organizations in America. The process is simple and can be managed online. There is no cost to USASA members.
USASA has selected the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) to conduct its screening. NCSI is one of the leaders in providing screening to youth-serving organizations. It works in partnership with the National Council of Youth Sports, which serves organizations representing over 52-million boys and girls.
The process will screen past convictions for sexually related and violent crime, as well as DUI. USASA has worked with NCSI to establish very specific criteria, which is listed below.
The process for screening is simple and generally takes about five minutes. But you must have a current, or in process, USASA adult competitor, coach, judge/official or club volunteer membership to register for the screening.
USASA appreciates the cooperation and understanding of its members to help implement this program to ensure that the environment in ski and snowboard athletic programs throughout the organization is as safe as possible for young boys and girls.
Background Screening Criterion Offenses
Managing a SafeSport environment is important to USASA. Background screening of all employees, member coaches, member officials and club volunteer members is required. Convictions and pending dispositions for the following crimes will prompt a determination that an applicant “does not meet” the criteria to serve USASA.
Reportable convictions or disclosures of convictions or registrations or pending dispositions, for any of the following criminal offenses or registrations will prompt a determination that an applicant 'does not meet' the criminal background screening criteria and a red light determination will be issued:
Felonies
- Any violent felony (any crime punishable by confinement greater than one year)
- Any felony within the past ten (10) years involving cruelty to animals.
- Any non-violent felony (any crime punishable by confinement greater than one year) within the past ten (10) years not otherwise included above. (i.e., Felony theft or Controlled Substances)
- Crimes of a Sexual Nature
- Any felony or lesser crime of a sexual nature or classified as a sex offense including but not limited to prostitution, pornography, indecent exposure; and crimes in which sexual relations is an element.
- Any crime for which a conviction places the offender on a sex offender registry.
Misdemeanors
- Any lesser crime involving force or threat of force against a person within the last ten (10) years.
- Any lesser crime involving controlled substances if there was one (1) offense within the past five (5) years, or two (2) or more offenses within the last ten (10) years (not alcohol).
- Any lesser crime within the past ten (10) years involving cruelty to animals.
- Any lesser crime involving harm to a minor within the past ten (10) years not included above.
- Two driving under the influence offenses (alcohol) within the past five (5) years or more than two (2) offenses in the past ten (10) years.
- NOTE: Criminal offenses include "Attempted Crimes" in the above classifications.
Online Resources
Did You Know?
- Every USASA staff member, plus all coaches, officials, judges, and volunteer members undergo background screening before issuance of membership or employment by USASA.
- Parents, you can verify the membership and background screening of any club coach, judge, official or volunteer member through the Background Screening Lookup tool or by calling USASA National Office at 800-404-9213 to ensure that the coaches, officials and volunteer members working with your child have undergone background screening.
- Club & Program leaders, the USOC provides online SafeSport training for your coaches, judges, officials and volunteer members.