What is a CVPA?
CVPA stands for Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate. The purpose of the CVPA position is intended to oversee the child and volunteer protection program in the region in accordance with the AYSO Safe Haven program.
The CVPA processes all the volunteers in the region.
Why do you need my social security number?
AYSO is a national organization. ;We secure criminal background reports by searching court documents in county jurisdictions all across the country. These jurisdictions use a variety of personal information to identify those convicted of crimes. Unfortunately, there is no consistency as to the information used from jurisdiction to jurisdiction to identify those convicted. The expert opinions we sought and received on the matter told us unequivocally that all this information – including the SS# - was necessary to ensure the viability of the background information we secure. Collecting all this information serves AYSO on two fronts. First, the accuracy of the information we receive ensures that we exclude those with the highest potential for harm to our children, and, equally important, it helps us avoid excluding a good and valuable volunteer due to mistaken identity. Find out more here.
What is Safe Haven?
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, promote education and awareness, enforce policies, screen volunteers and train volunteers. It includes proactive steps that promote a positive, healthy environment for child.
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. Read more here.
What is Kid Zone?
In recent months, the national media has focused on the negative, even violent, behavior of players, coaches and parents involved in youth sports. In a proactive effort to counteract this trend of violence, AYSO has a program called Kids Zone. (Read about the history of Kids Zone here.) As part of AYSO's education agenda, Kids Zone is a dynamic program targeted to eliminate negative sideline behavior. It is aimed toward producing a thoroughly positive impact on everyone involved in youth soccer. To execute this program, four basic elements are involved:
1. The Button. This is a pin-on button bearing the program's logo. This will be worn by program supporters at games, and will serve as a reminder of the importance of positive sideline behavior.
2. The Sign. A large sideline poster, which lists positive behavior standards, designed to be posted at the entrance of participating fields. Parents and spectators who will abide by these standards are welcome -- all others are not.
3. The Pledge. We will request AYSO parents to sign a pledge that holds them to the Kids Zone standards. KID ZONE PLEDGE
4. The Video. This is a 12 minute documentary that introduces AYSO's principles and its Kids Zone action plan to new participants. Viewers will also watch a parent intervene to change another parent's negative behavior. Watch it HERE.
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