Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate

Purpose

The AYSO volunteer position of Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA) is intended to oversee the Child and Volunteer Protection Program in the Region in accordance with the AYSO Safe Haven program.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate is expected to perform their duties consistent with the directions as detailed in the training, certification, and continuing education provided by AYSO for this position including:

1. Support the AYSO Vision, Mission, National Safe Haven Office and Regional Commissioner in promoting and implementing the AYSO Safe Haven Program, in both specifics and spirit;
2. Ensure all potential Regional volunteers annually submit an AYSO volunteer application form and that approved volunteers are duly registered in AYSOU;
3. Screen all potential Regional volunteers annually and submit eligible names to the Regional Board for approval;
4. Serve as the Regional liaison with the AYSO National Safe Haven Office;
5. Be familiar with the Child Protection Act of 1993, the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997, and state provisions for the reporting of child abuse and neglect;
6. Serve as a resource and/or a facilitator to Region members on the requirements for good faith reporting of abuse to law enforcement and child welfare agencies;
7. Enforce AYSO’s protocols to protect volunteer identities, privacy and privileged information;
8. Ensure that the Region has available the written position descriptions for each volunteer filling a Regional position;
9. Work with the Regional Commissioner, Coach and Referee Administrators to ensure that all coaches, referees and volunteers are properly trained and certified AND ensure an annual review is held on child and volunteer protection responsibilities;
10. Promote the standards of behavior and conduct as laid out in the child and volunteer protection policies, procedures, and guidelines of the AYSO Safe Haven program.

Qualifications and Desired Skills

To be considered for the position of Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate, the applicant must:

1. Annually submit an AYSO Volunteer Application form;
2. Pass the AYSO screening and background check;
3. Be annually approved and duly appointed as CVPA by the Region;
4. Must have discretion as well as strong administrative and organizational skills;
5. Understand and implement requirements and recommendations as specified in the Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate training and certification.

Supervision Protocols

While performing as the Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate, the volunteer is:

1. Subject to the bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines of AYSO;
2. Under the overall authority of and directly supervised by the Regional Commissioner; and
3. To maintain the recommended adult to child supervision ratio of 1:8 or less; that is one adult for every eight or fewer children and two adults (one of whom may be the coach and one of whom should be of the same gender as the group) present at all times. For the protection of both the children and the volunteer, no volunteer should permit himself or herself to be alone with any child or group of children (except his or her own) during AYSO-sponsored activities.

Time Commitment

Time commitment will vary depending on Region size and length of playing season(s). For the typical AYSO Region, the CVPA will devote about 120 hours per year.

Orientation, Certification, Training, and Continued Education Provided

To fully prepare for the position, the Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate is expected to participate in the following training, certification and continuing educational opportunities:

1. Orientation by the Regional Commissioner – 1 hour;
2. AYSO’s Safe Haven Certification – 30 minutes;
3. SafeSport Certification – 2 hours;
4. Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate Training – 2 hours;
5. Dispute Resolution Training – 1 ¼ hours;
6. Due Process Training – 1 ¼ hours;
7. Various workshops at the annual EXPO.

Activity Locations

While performing the duties of Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate, the volunteer is limited to the following locations, unless expressly authorized in writing by the Regional Commissioner to hold or participate in activities in another location.

1. Regional board meetings;
2. Area meetings;
3. The annual EXPO
4. Assigned field locations;
5. Assigned classroom locations; and
6. Independent work at home alone, in committees of adults, or in a properly supervised situation with children.