Welcome to AYSO Region 253 Serving the communities of Bentley, Halstead, Kechi, North Wichita, Park City, Sedgwick, Valley Center and Whitewater.
	Child and Volunteer Protection  Safe Haven is a child and volunteer protection program that was the first of its kind in youth sports. The child protection aspect is intended to stop child abuse, educate or remove its perpetrators, and screen out predators before they get into the program. It includes proactive steps which provide a medium for positive, healthy child development, precluding the outbreak of child abuse in a weak, unfocused, non-empowering environment. Volunteer protection comes in to play as a result of volunteer training, certification and continuing education. The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 provides certain legal protections for volunteers who have been trained and certified, and act in accordance with a written job description. Safe Haven has these three elements, giving volunteers the highest degree of protection available under the law. Region 253 is committed to the safety and protection of our children and our volunteers. Our Regional Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA) is charged with the   protection of our children and our volunteers by assuring that all of our volunteers are registered with the organization, and that volunteers who have contact with children have completed the Safe Haven certification program. Safe Haven is provided as a part of all Coach and Referee training. In Region 253, reference checks of volunteers are performed annually by the CVPA on a random basis (reference checks are performed on all new volunteers), and criminal background checks of volunteers are performed annually by the National Support and Training Center on a random basis, except in the case of the Regional Commissioner, the CVPA, the Regional Registrar, the Regional Treasurer, any regional board members who lead or organize children's activities, all coaches, all assistant coaches, and all referees on whom a criminal background check is performed every year automatically. Volunteers for whom concerns are raised through this process, are addressed in accordance with AYSO policies. Region 253 is also acutely aware of the damage that can be done to the personal and professional reputations of our volunteers as a result of any public accusation of misconduct, whether true or not. As a result, we strive through the Safe Haven training program not only to educate our volunteers as to what is appropriate and inappropriate conduct, but to provide them with an ability to assess when they may be at risk of accusation, and how to avoid such risks. Our volunteers are one of our most valuable assets, and second only to the protection of our children, their protection is a priority. If you have questions or concerns, whether a volunteer, parent or child, please do not hesitate to contact the Regional CVPA   or Regional Commissioner . Regional Policies 1. Region 253 is committed to the protection of all its children from all forms of abuse and neglect while participating in the program and it promotes the awareness and prevention of child abuse in the community at large. 2. Region 253 shall have a Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA), who shall be responsible for overseeing the child protection program in accordance with AYSO guidelines.  He or she shall be a member of the regional board and will act as the main resource on child protection issues and shall be the region's liaison with the Coordinator of Child Protection Advocacy at the AYSO Education Department. 3. Region 253 requires all volunteers to complete, date and sign the appropriate volunteer application form and its authorization to AYSO and Region 253 to perform a background check. Volunteers shall be screened at a level appropriate to the level of risk. 4. Region 253 shall have the right to revoke the participation of any individual who lies or knowingly misrepresents information on the application form, or who violates the principles of these policies.  AYSO and Region 253 shall have the right to revoke both the registration and certification of any volunteer who falsifies information, is found guilty of child abuse, or fails to fill in and return the volunteer application form. 5. A volunteer accused of abuse will be asked to resign voluntarily.  If the volunteer refuses, the board will move to suspend the volunteer until the matter has been resolved.  Regardless of civil or criminal guilt for the alleged child abuse, the continued presence of the volunteer in the program may damage the reputation of the Region, even during an investigation or pretrial phase. 6. A volunteer accused of child abuse but subsequently cleared may apply for reinstatement in the region.  However, reinstatement is not a right, and reinstated volunteers are not guaranteed return to their former positions. Online Training Opportunities AYSO is pleased to make online training available to all AYSO registered volunteers at www.aysotraining.org . You will need your AYSO ID number to access the courses and your region must have registered you in either the FS2006 or FS2007 membership year. How do I get an AYSO ID number? If you have not yet submitted a volunteer application, you may begin the process by completing an application using AYSO's online service at www.eAYSO.org. Click on the First Time button and follow the instructions in the subsequent pages to become an AYSO Volunteer. The system will also provde you the ability to create a profile consisting of your email and password. When you've completed the online Volunteer application, print a copy, sign it and contact your CVPA who can then provide your AYSO ID number. I don't know my AYSO ID number. If you have submitted an application to your region in 2006 and/or 2007 or know you are currently registered but do not know or have forgotten your AYSO I.D. number, please contact your regional Child & Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA). What are the minimum requirements to access the AYSO online training and certification courses? The AYSO online courses require: - either a PC or Apple platform computer - web browser - internet connection - Adobe/Macromedia Flash Player 8 - Speakers or Headphones to listen to video or audio What are the suggested settings to best view the online courses? Suggested settings for AYSO online courses are: - DSL or cable internet connection - most current web browser of Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari - minimum 1024 pixel x 768 pixel screen resolution - Flash Player Version 8 or newer
Last Updated 9/08/2007