Keeping Kids SafeAthlete wellness is a core priority of Midwest Devo
Keeping kids safe is a top priority of Midwest devo.
we work to ensure coaches are trained and equipped, and student-athletes understand their responsibility to keep their teammates safe.
Resources for Parents and Coaches
We’ll post additional forms and resources for parents on this page as needed
This consent form is for the purposes of the Dual Relationship Exception in the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies. There are times when a Minor Athlete and an Adult Participant have a relationship that exists outside of a sports relationship. Examples of dual relationships include--but are not limited to--family members, family friends, and teachers.
Common circumstances could be transportation to practices or events, specific performance coaching, or communication about group rides outside of regular team practices.
safe sport certification
Safe Sport training is a front-line abuse and misconduct prevention measure that raises member awareness of misconduct and abuse issues in sports.
Midwest Devo requires all coaches to be Safe Sport certified and all our teenage athletes to undergo athlete-oriented Safe Sport training.
TO REPORT SAFESPORT CONCERNS: Contact the USA Center for SafeSport here. In addition, you can contact Midwest Devo Athlete Wellness Committee Leader and SafeSport Champion Beth Engwis via email.
concussion in sports
We always wear a helmet…always. No helmet = no ride.
However, even a helmet cannot prevent a concussion.
The NFHS has teamed up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to educate coaches, officials, parents, and students on the importance of proper concussion recognition and management in high school sports. This course highlights the impact of sports-related concussions on athletes, teaches how to recognize a suspected concussion, and provides protocols to manage a suspected concussion, including steps to help players return to play safely after a concussion. Each state's requirements for concussion management are included in the course.
MINOR ATHLETE ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY (MAAPP)
Known as the MAAPP, it is a set of guidelines established by numerous sport organizations. The goal is to eliminate isolated, one-on-one interactions between children and adults. Establishing clear boundaries for one-on-one interactions reduces the risk of physical, sexual, and emotional misconduct as well as opportunities for bullying, harassment, and hazing. The majority of child sexual abuse is perpetrated in isolated, one-on-one situations.
By reducing such interaction between children and adults, programs reduce the risk of child sexual abuse. However, one-on-one time with trusted adults is also healthy and valuable for a child. Policies concerning one-on-one interactions protect children while allowing for these beneficial relationships.
There are many guidelines, but the key ones cover meetings, one-on-one coaching, car sharing, and electronic communications.
Meetings between adults and minor athletes: Must be observable and interruptible by another adult.
Individual training sessions: Must be observable and interruptible by another adult unless agreed to in writing by the minor athlete’s parent/legal guardian in advance. Please follow this link to complete Midwest Devo’s online permission form for Individual Training Sessions.
Car sharing: Adults shall not ride in a vehicle alone with an unrelated minor athlete unless agreed to in writing by the minor athlete’s parent/legal guardian in advance. (Emergency circumstances excepted.) Transportation is allowed when at least two minor athletes or another adult are in the vehicle. Please follow this link to complete a Midwest Devo online permission form for minor athlete to ride in a vehicle alone with unrelated adult.
Electronic communications: one-on-one texting, email, and direct messaging between adults and minor athletes should be avoided. Electronic communications should include a 3rd party. Athletes and coaches should copy another coach or parent when texting or messaging each other. (A good example is for athletes to copy both Coach xx and Coach xx on text messages.)
Read more details about the USA Cycling Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy
TO REPORT MINOR ATHLETE ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY VIOLATIONS: Contact the USA Center for SafeSport here. In addition, you can contact Midwest Devo Athlete Wellness Committee Leader and SafeSport Champion Beth Engwis via email.