"Safe Haven" Child & Volunteer Protection
Volunteers are the lifeblood of AYSO. To ensure the safety of both children and volunteers, each volunteer is required to take an in-person or online training session called Safe Haven. It focuses on safety and appropriate behavior with children as well as other on-field issues. Agreeing to a background check is also required for each volunteer.
Becoming Safe Haven certified may take a little time, but AYSO families know their children's safety is worth it. Safe Haven is both a child and volunteer protection program. It was the first of its kind in youth sports.
The child protection aspect is intended to prevent child abuse, promote education and awareness, enforce policies and screen and train volunteers. It includes proactive steps that promote a positive, healthy environment for children.
Volunteer protection is the 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 and AYSO's policies and guidelines. By becoming trained and certified in their positions through AYSO's Safe Haven program, AYSO volunteers are afforded maximum protection under the federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997.
AYSO's certification programs are accredited by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE), providing universal recognition and validity from colleges, universities, high school athletic associations, national governing bodies of sport, youth sports organizations, and others.
To learn more about the Safe Haven program visit the Safe Haven FAQ page.