Dear USA Hockey and USA Hockey Affiliate Volunteers,
 

As you know, USA Hockey’s SafeSport Program was implemented this past season, including publication of the initial version of the SafeSport Program Handbook. It is a program we are very proud of in a continuing effort to promote safety throughout our sport.

Following this initial year, we have sought and received comments and changes during and since the USA Hockey Annual Congress, and those changes have been incorporated into an updated USA Hockey SafeSport Program Handbook. Some of the key changes relate to the requirements for online training and background screening of coaches, officials and other volunteers. These changes have been reviewed and approved by the SafeSport Task Force and by the Executive Committee. Below you will find a link to an updated and revised copy of the SafeSport Program Handbook (please note the date of 8/15/2013 in the bottom left hand corner).

The SafeSport Handbook is intended to remain a "living document" that may require changes on an ongoing basis to protect USA Hockey and its members, respond to the needs of USA Hockey and its Affiliates, and to comply with applicable law. Accordingly, the SafeSport Task Force will again provide an update to the Board of Directors at the 2014 Winter Meeting, and additional modifications to the Handbook will be considered in June, 2014.

The link to the SafeSport Program Handbook is:

SafeSport Handbook >>

More information about our SafeSport Program can be found at www.usahockey.com, including links to and instructions for the online training that is available to all program administrators, coaches, officials and other employees and volunteers in USA Hockey programs. We strongly encourage everyone to take this training in order to have the information necessary to effectively monitor our organizations, minimize the opportunities for abuse and other misconduct, and respond to concerns.

If you have any questions about the SafeSport Program or this Handbook, please contact any member of the Task Force. Thanks for everything you do to grow our great game and make it safe.

Yours Truly,

USA Hockey SafeSport Task Force

Dave Ogrean

Pete Lindberg

Dennis Green

Steve Laing

Scott Gray

Elgine McArdle

Casey Jorgensen

Rae Briggle

Kevin McLaughlin

Bob Weldon

Joyce Kulpinski