MEMORANDUM To: CC: District 4 Association Presidents District 4 Council From: Chris Boloven D4 Chairperson Date: November 16, 2016 Re: SafeSport Policies Association Presidents: SafeSport encompasses two main areas Concussion Education and Offender Prevention. Over the past season, and more so over the summer, there have been significant changes surrounding SafeSport, and in particular, the offender prevention area, with a focus on locker room monitoring. The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you, your associations, its coaches, and their teams of the new SafeSport policies and updates, and to give guidance on how these policies and updates should be implemented. SafeSport Administrators Every association needs to have a designated SafeSport Administrator. The SafeSport administrator needs to complete the SafeSport Training (described below), and provide the District 4 SafeSport Director with a copy of their certificate, along with their contact information. This individual will be responsible for all association SafeSport complaints (described below), including complaint logs. They are also responsible for maintaining a log of all concussion occurrences throughout the season (described below). Concussion Education / Helmet Policies The rules and policies associated with Concussion Education have not changed over the past season. All coaches must complete the Concussion Module Training (Training Module: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/headsup/training/index.html). They should print a copy of the completion certificate and save it for their records. Coaches must also complete MAHA s Concussion form (copy enclosed) certifying they have been provided all concussion materials, read the information provided, will comply with the requirements of MAHA s policy, have completed the concussion training module, and will notify their association s SafeSport Administrator of any concussion occurrences. The signature of this document must be
SafeSport Memorandum November 16, 2016 Page 2 witnessed. Players are also required to complete MAHA s Concussion form (copy enclosed), which are to be maintained by your association s SafeSport Administrator. Written reports for all concussion occurrences for a player must be stapled to the player s respective concussion form. A player s written clearance from a health professional must also be stapled to the player s respective concussion form once the player is cleared to play again. All of the aforementioned documents may be stored electronically in compliance with the State of Michigan rules for storing documents electronically. The Helmet Policy has not changed. In accordance with USA Hockey Rule 304(c), all players must have a HECC approved helmet that is not expired. The helmet should have a HECC sticker (example enclosed) with an applicable expiration date. As USA Hockey explained in their September 26, 2013 Memorandum (copy enclosed), the spirit and intent of the rule was not to prevent a player from playing. Just because a sticker is not on a helmet, this does not mean a player is automatically prevented from participating in an event. Officials are to make sure all of the components of the helmet are in place, the helmet is free from excessive wear and is in good condition, the helmet looks similar to other players on the ice, and the helmet is worn properly by the player. Beginning in the 2016 17 Season, District 4 is clarifying the MAHA helmet rule ( XVI. B.). All instructors (goalie, skating, stick handling, etc.) on ice purchased by a USA rostered hockey team must wear a helmet. Offender Prevention SafeSport Training / Locker Room Policy SafeSport training is now required for all coaches, volunteers and managers. Training can be completed at http://www.usahockey.com/safesporttraining. SafeSport training is free of charge, and is good for two years. A refresh module is available for those whose training has expired. The module is only about 30 minutes, which is considerably shorter than the initial training. SafeSport training is now a part of rostering (you cannot roster unless all coaches have completed training), and is an item checked at District credentialing. All coaches and managers are also required to complete background checks (http://www.maha.org/page/show/1207426-background-check). Background checks are $10.00, and are also good for two years. You must print / save both your receipt of payment and the clearance (two separate emails). These are also needed for rostering your teams. Michigan Amateur Hockey Association s Locker Room Policy (copy enclosed) needs better enforcementat the association level.. There must be at least two locker room monitors in the locker room at all times 1,2. This monitor can be a coach or parent, but they must be SafeSport compliant, meaning that they have completed the SafeSport training, have a valid background check, and are USA Hockey registered. Please note that there is a volunteer tab for USA Hockey registration and it is free of charge. This tab should be used for non- Memo SafeSport 11.16.2016
SafeSport Memorandum November 16, 2016 Page 3 coach/manager locker room monitors. Also, a player cannot be a monitor, even if they are over the age of 18. This policy was implemented due to ongoing complaints last year involving inappropriate conduct occurring in locker rooms. The monitor is to verify that there are no cell phones or cameras in the locker room, and they are there to prevent bullying, hazing, and/or any other abuse occurring in locker rooms. Teams found to be in violation of the Locker Room Policy will be subjected to the following sanctions: 1) 1st offense; a one game suspension to the head coach; 2) 2nd offense; a warning to the Association/Club and a one week suspension to the head coach; 3) 3rd offense; the head coach and Association/Club representative shall attend a hearing which may result in further sanctions up to and including fines, suspensions and/or post season sanctions. Hearings on Complaints SafeSport, like STAR, has the authority to conduct hearings on complaints. Complaints can be filed through MAHA s website (http://www.maha.org/page/show/1274605-safesportreport), and will be directed to Richard Frescura, MAHA s Vice President of Appeals and head of SafeSport. The complaints will then be directed by Mr. Frescura to the applicable district and association. Once an investigation is completed, a hearing may be held for the violating individual and applicable sanctions may be imposed. Your association s SafeSport Administrator is to keep a complaint log of all filed complaints and forward them to the District 4 SafeSport Director. The sanctions will be at the discretion of the hearing committee. All appeal rights apply to sanctions imposed by the hearing committee. Thank you all for your time and commitment to this wonderful sport. The District 4 Council is looking forward to a great season. With your continued dedication and support, District 4 will continue to prosper in being the best district in the State of Michigan. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact the District 4 SafeSport Coordinator. Memo SafeSport 11.16.2016