The MAAPP applies to Adult Participants and their interactions with Minor Athletes in conjunction with USA Cycling activities. USA Cycling LAs and Clubs must adhere to MAAPP.
Establishing clear boundaries reduces the risk of physical, sexual, and emotional misconduct as well as opportunities for bullying, harassment, and hazing. Furthermore, 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.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport and USAC recognize that youth-adult relationships can be healthy and valuable for development. Policies on one-on-one interactions protect children while allowing for these beneficial relationships. As child sexual abuse is often perpetrated in isolated, one-on-one situations, it is critical that organizations limit such interactions between youth and adults and implement programs that reduce the risk of sexual abuse.
The following policies have been adopted by USA Cycling (USAC) to establish clearly defined boundaries between participants in cycling and to reduce isolated one-on-one interactions between children and adults in cycling.
Part III: Policies for One-on-One Interactions
One-on-One Interactions
A. Mandatory Components
- Observable and interruptible
- All one-on-one In-Program Contact between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete must be observable and interruptible, except in emergency circumstances.
- The exceptions below may apply to specific policies, and if the exceptions apply, they are listed in the policy. These exceptions also apply to all one-on-one In-Program Contact not specifically addressed in other policies:
- When a Dual Relationship exists; or
- When the Close-in-Age Exception applies; or
- If a Minor Athlete needs an Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant, and:
- the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided written consent to USAC, an LA, or Club for the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant to work with the Minor Athlete; and
- the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the Education & Training Policy; and
- the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with USAC’s Background Check Policy; or
- In other circumstances specifically addressed in this policy that allow for certain one-on-one interactions if USAC, an LA or Club receives parent/ guardian consent.
- Meeting & Training Sessions
- Athletic Training Modalities
- Locker Rooms
- Electronic Communications
- Transportation
- Lodging
Meeting & Training Sessions
A. Mandatory Components
- Observable and Interruptible
Adult Participants must follow the one-on-one interaction policy in all meetings and training sessions where Minor Athlete(s) are present.
2. Individual Training Sessions
a. One-on-one, In-Program, individual training sessions must be observable and interruptible except if:
i. A Dual Relationship exists; or
ii. The Close-In-Age Exception applies; or
iii. A Minor Athlete needs an Adult Participant Care Assistant, and:
1. the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided written consent to USAC, the LA, or the Club for the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant to work with the Minor Athlete; and
2. the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the Education & Training Policy; and
3. the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the USAC’s Background Check Policy.
b. The Adult Participant providing the individual training session must receive advance, written consent from the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian at least annually, which can be withdrawn at any time; and
c. Parents/guardians must be allowed to observe the individual training session.
3. Meetings with licensed mental health care professionals and health care providers (other than athletic trainers[1])
If a licensed mental health care professional or licensed health care provider meets one-on-one with a Minor Athlete at a sanctioned event or a facility, which is partially or fully under USAC’s, an LA’s or a Club’s jurisdiction, the meeting must be observable and interruptible except:
a. If the door remains unlocked; and
b. Another adult is present at the facility and notified that a meeting is occurring, although the Minor Athlete’s identity needs not be disclosed; and
c. USAC, the LA, or the Club is notified that the provider will be meeting with a Minor Athlete; and
d. The provider obtains consent consistent with applicable laws and ethical standards, which can be withdrawn at any time.
[1] Athletic trainers who are covered under the policies must follow the “Athletic Trainer Modalities, Massages, and Rubdowns” policy.
B. Recommended Best Practices
1. Monitoring
If a permitted meeting or training session takes place between an Adult Participant(s) and a Minor Athlete(s) at a facility partially or fully under USAC, an LA or a Club’s jurisdiction, another Adult Participant will monitor each meeting or training session. Monitoring includes reviewing the parent/guardian consent form, knowing that the meeting or training session is occurring, knowing the approximate planned duration of the meeting or training session, and dropping in on the meeting or training session.
2. Parent Training
Parents/guardians receive the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s education and training on child abuse prevention before providing consent for their Minor Athlete to have a meeting or training session with an Adult Participant subject to these policies.
Athletic Training Modalities, Massages, and Rubdowns
A. Mandatory Components
- Athletic training modality, massage, or rubdown
All In-Program athletic training modalities, massages, or rubdowns of a Minor Athlete must:
a. Be observable and interruptible; and
b. Have another Adult Participant physically present for the athletic training modality, massage, or rubdown; and
c. Have documented consent as explained in subsection (2) below; and
d. Be performed with the Minor Athlete fully or partially clothed, ensuring that the breasts, buttocks, groin, or genitals are always covered; and
e. Allow parents/guardians in the room as an observer, except for competition or training venues that limit credentialing.
2. Consent
a. Providers of athletic training modalities, massages, and rubdowns or USAC, the LA, or Club, when applicable, must obtain consent at least annually from Minor Athletes’ parents/guardians before providing any athletic training modalities, massages, or rubdowns.
b. Minor Athletes or their parents/guardians can withdraw consent at any time.
B. Recommended Components
- Parent Training
Parents/guardians receive the U.S. Center for SafeSport education and training on child abuse prevention before providing consent for their Minor Athlete to receive an athletic training modality, massage, or rubdown. - The provider should narrate the steps in the massage, rubdown, or athletic training modality before taking them, seeking assent of the Minor Athlete throughout the process.
- When possible, techniques should be used to reduce physical touch of Minor Athletes.
- Only licensed providers should administer a massage, rubdown, or athletic training modality.
- Coaches, regardless of whether they are licensed massage therapists, should not massage Minor Athletes.
Locker Room and Changing Areas
Not all cycling events have locker rooms or changing area. Some races take place in sport stadiums where changing facilities are readily available while other races take place in rural or public settings where there are no such facilities. USAC requires all athletes to utilize a locker room or changing area when available.
A. Mandatory Components
- Observable and Interruptible
Adult Participants must ensure that all one-on-one In-Program Contact with Minor Athlete(s) in a locker room, changing area, or similar space where Minor Athlete(s) are present is observable and interruptible, except if:
a. A Dual Relationship exists; or
b. The Close-in-Age Exception applies; or
c. A Minor Athlete needs a Personal Care Assistant and:
i. the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided written consent to USAC, the LA or Club for the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant to work with the Minor Athlete; and
ii. the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the Education & Training Policy; and
iii. the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with USAC’s Background Check Policy
2. Conduct in Locker Rooms, Changing Areas, and Similar Spaces
a. No Adult Participant or Minor Athlete can use the photographic or recording capabilities of any device in locker rooms, changing areas, or any other area designated as a place for changing clothes or undressing.
b. Adult Participants must not change clothes or behave in a manner that intentionally or recklessly exposes their breasts, buttocks, groins, or genitals to a Minor Athlete.
c. Adult Participants must not shower with Minor Athletes unless: i. The Adult Participant meets the Close-in-Age Exception; or ii. The shower is part of a pre- or post-activity rinse while wearing swimwear.
d. Parents/guardians may request in writing that their Minor Athlete(s) not change or shower with Adult Participant(s) during In-Program Contact. USAC, the LA or the Club and the Adult Participant(s) must abide by this request.
3. Media and Championship Celebrations in Locker Rooms
USAC, an LA or Club may permit recording or photography in locker rooms for the purpose of highlighting a sport or athletic accomplishment if:
i. Parent/legal guardian consent has been obtained; and
ii. USAC, the LA or Club approves the specific instance of recording or photography; and
iii. Two or more Adult Participants are present; and
iv. Everyone is fully clothed.
4. Personal Care Assistants
Adult Participant Personal Care Assistants are permitted to be with and assist Minor Athlete(s) in locker rooms, changing areas, and similar spaces where other Minor Athletes are present, if they meet the requirements in subsection (1)(c)(iii) above.
5. Availability and Monitoring of Locker Rooms, Changing Areas, and Similar Spaces
a. USAC, an LA or Club must provide a private or semi-private place for Minor Athletes that need to change clothes or undress at sanctioned events or facilities partially or fully under USAC’s, an LA’s or Club’s jurisdiction.
b. USAC, an LA or Club must monitor the use of locker rooms, changing areas, and similar spaces to ensure compliance with these policies at sanctioned events or facilities partially or fully under USAC’s, an LA’s or Club’s jurisdiction.
Electronic Communications
Electronic communications include, but are not limited to: phone calls, videoconferencing, video coaching, texting and social media.
A. Mandatory Components
- Open and Transparent
- All one-on-one electronic communications between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete must be Open and Transparent except:
i. When a Dual Relationship exists; or
ii. When the Close-in-Age Exception applies; or
iii. If a Minor Athlete needs a Personal Care Assistant and:- the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided written consent to USAC, an LA or Club for the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant to work with the Minor Athlete; and
- Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the Education & Training Policy; and
- the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with USAC’s Background Check Policy.
- Open and Transparent means that the Adult Participant copies or includes the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian, another adult family member of the Minor Athlete, or another Adult Participant.
- If a Minor Athlete communicates with the Adult Participant first, the Adult Participant must follow this policy if the Adult Participant responds.
- All one-on-one electronic communications between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete must be Open and Transparent except:
c. Only platforms that allow for Open and Transparent communication may be used to communicate with Minor Athletes.
2. Team Communication
When an Adult Participant communicates electronically to the entire team or any number of Minor Athletes on the team, the Adult Participant must copy or include another Adult Participant or the Minor Athletes’ parents/guardians.
3. Content
All electronic communication originating from an Adult Participant(s) to a Minor Athlete(s) must be professional in nature unless an exception in (1)(a) exists.
4. Requests to discontinue
Parents/guardians may request in writing that USAC, an LA, Club or an Adult Participant subject to this policy not contact their Minor Athlete through any form of electronic communication. USAC, an LA or Club and the Adult Participant must abide by any request to discontinue, absent emergency circumstances.
B. Recommended Best Practices
1. Hours
Electronic communications will generally only be sent between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. local time for the location of the Minor Athlete, unless emergency circumstances exist.
2. Social Media Connections
Adult Participants, except those with a Dual Relationship or who meet the Close-in-Age Exception, are not permitted to maintain private social media connections with Minor Athletes and should discontinue existing social media connections with Minor Athletes.
Transportation
A. Mandatory Components
- Transportation
- An Adult Participant cannot transport a Minor Athlete one-on-one during In-Program travel, except if:
- A Dual Relationship exists; or
- The Close-in-Age Exception applies; or
- A Minor Athlete needs a Personal Care Assistant and:
1) the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided written consent to USAC, an LA or Club for the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant to work with the Minor Athlete; and
2) the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the Education & Training Policy; and
3) the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with USAC’s Background Check Policy; or - The Adult Participant has advance, written consent to transport the Minor Athlete one-on-one obtained at least annually from the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian.
- An Adult Participant cannot transport a Minor Athlete one-on-one during In-Program travel, except if:
b. Minor Athlete(s) or their parent/guardian can withdraw consent at any time.
c. An Adult Participant meets the In-Program transportation requirements if the Adult Participant is accompanied by another Adult Participant or at least two minors.
d. Written consent from a Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian is required for all transportation related to a USAC, LA or Club sponsored or sanctioned event.
B. Recommended Best Practices
- Shared or Carpool Travel Arrangement
We encourage parents/legal guardians to pick up their Minor Athlete first and drop off their Minor Athlete last in any shared or carpool travel arrangement.
2. Parent Training
Parents/legal guardians receive the U.S. Center for SafeSport education and training on child abuse prevention before providing consent for their Minor Athlete to travel one-on-one with an Adult Participant.
Lodging
A. Mandatory Components
- Hotel Rooms and Other Sleeping Arrangements
- All In-Program Contact at a hotel or lodging site between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete must be observable and interruptible, and an Adult Participant cannot share a hotel room or otherwise sleep in the same room with a Minor Athlete(s), except if:
- Dual Relationship Exists, and the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided USAC, an LA or Club with advance, written consent for the lodging arrangement;
- The Close-in-Age Exception applies, and the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided USAC, an LA or Club with advance, written consent for the lodging arrangement; or
- The Minor Athlete needs a Personal Care Assistant, and:
- The Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided advance, written consent to USAC, an LA or Club for the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant to work with the Minor Athlete and for the lodging arrangement;
- The Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the Education & Training Policy; and
- The Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with USAC’s Background Check Policy.
- Written consent from a Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian must be obtained for all In-Program lodging at least annually.
- All In-Program Contact at a hotel or lodging site between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete must be observable and interruptible, and an Adult Participant cannot share a hotel room or otherwise sleep in the same room with a Minor Athlete(s), except if:
- Monitoring or Room Checks During In-Program Travel
If room checks are performed during In-Program lodging, the one-on-one interaction policy must be followed and at least two adults must be present for the room checks. - Additional Requirements for Lodging Authorized or Funded by USAC, LA or Club
a. Adult Participants traveling with USAC, an LA or Club must agree to and sign USAC’s lodging policy at least annually.
b. Adult Participants that travel overnight with Minor Athlete(s) are assumed to have Authority over Minor Athlete(s) and thus must comply with USAC’s Education & Training Policy.
B. Recommended Components
Parent Training
Parents/guardians receive the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s education and training on child abuse prevention before providing consent for lodging arrangements under this policy.
- Meeting & Training Sessions
- Athletic Training Modalities
- Locker Rooms
- Electronic Communications
- Transportation
- Lodging
Meeting & Training Sessions
A. Mandatory Components
- Observable and Interruptible
Adult Participants must follow the one-on-one interaction policy in all meetings and training sessions where Minor Athlete(s) are present.
2. Individual Training Sessions
a. One-on-one, In-Program, individual training sessions must be observable and interruptible except if:
i. A Dual Relationship exists; or
ii. The Close-In-Age Exception applies; or
iii. A Minor Athlete needs an Adult Participant Care Assistant, and:
1. the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided written consent to USAC, the LA, or the Club for the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant to work with the Minor Athlete; and
2. the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the Education & Training Policy; and
3. the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the USAC’s Background Check Policy.
b. The Adult Participant providing the individual training session must receive advance, written consent from the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian at least annually, which can be withdrawn at any time; and
c. Parents/guardians must be allowed to observe the individual training session.
3. Meetings with licensed mental health care professionals and health care providers (other than athletic trainers[1])
If a licensed mental health care professional or licensed health care provider meets one-on-one with a Minor Athlete at a sanctioned event or a facility, which is partially or fully under USAC’s, an LA’s or a Club’s jurisdiction, the meeting must be observable and interruptible except:
a. If the door remains unlocked; and
b. Another adult is present at the facility and notified that a meeting is occurring, although the Minor Athlete’s identity needs not be disclosed; and
c. USAC, the LA, or the Club is notified that the provider will be meeting with a Minor Athlete; and
d. The provider obtains consent consistent with applicable laws and ethical standards, which can be withdrawn at any time.
[1] Athletic trainers who are covered under the policies must follow the “Athletic Trainer Modalities, Massages, and Rubdowns” policy.
B. Recommended Best Practices
1. Monitoring
If a permitted meeting or training session takes place between an Adult Participant(s) and a Minor Athlete(s) at a facility partially or fully under USAC, an LA or a Club’s jurisdiction, another Adult Participant will monitor each meeting or training session. Monitoring includes reviewing the parent/guardian consent form, knowing that the meeting or training session is occurring, knowing the approximate planned duration of the meeting or training session, and dropping in on the meeting or training session.
2. Parent Training
Parents/guardians receive the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s education and training on child abuse prevention before providing consent for their Minor Athlete to have a meeting or training session with an Adult Participant subject to these policies.
Athletic Training Modalities, Massages, and Rubdowns
A. Mandatory Components
- Athletic training modality, massage, or rubdown
All In-Program athletic training modalities, massages, or rubdowns of a Minor Athlete must:
a. Be observable and interruptible; and
b. Have another Adult Participant physically present for the athletic training modality, massage, or rubdown; and
c. Have documented consent as explained in subsection (2) below; and
d. Be performed with the Minor Athlete fully or partially clothed, ensuring that the breasts, buttocks, groin, or genitals are always covered; and
e. Allow parents/guardians in the room as an observer, except for competition or training venues that limit credentialing.
2. Consent
a. Providers of athletic training modalities, massages, and rubdowns or USAC, the LA, or Club, when applicable, must obtain consent at least annually from Minor Athletes’ parents/guardians before providing any athletic training modalities, massages, or rubdowns.
b. Minor Athletes or their parents/guardians can withdraw consent at any time.
B. Recommended Components
- Parent Training
Parents/guardians receive the U.S. Center for SafeSport education and training on child abuse prevention before providing consent for their Minor Athlete to receive an athletic training modality, massage, or rubdown. - The provider should narrate the steps in the massage, rubdown, or athletic training modality before taking them, seeking assent of the Minor Athlete throughout the process.
- When possible, techniques should be used to reduce physical touch of Minor Athletes.
- Only licensed providers should administer a massage, rubdown, or athletic training modality.
- Coaches, regardless of whether they are licensed massage therapists, should not massage Minor Athletes.
Locker Room and Changing Areas
Not all cycling events have locker rooms or changing area. Some races take place in sport stadiums where changing facilities are readily available while other races take place in rural or public settings where there are no such facilities. USAC requires all athletes to utilize a locker room or changing area when available.
A. Mandatory Components
- Observable and Interruptible
Adult Participants must ensure that all one-on-one In-Program Contact with Minor Athlete(s) in a locker room, changing area, or similar space where Minor Athlete(s) are present is observable and interruptible, except if:
a. A Dual Relationship exists; or
b. The Close-in-Age Exception applies; or
c. A Minor Athlete needs a Personal Care Assistant and:
i. the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided written consent to USAC, the LA or Club for the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant to work with the Minor Athlete; and
ii. the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the Education & Training Policy; and
iii. the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with USAC’s Background Check Policy
2. Conduct in Locker Rooms, Changing Areas, and Similar Spaces
a. No Adult Participant or Minor Athlete can use the photographic or recording capabilities of any device in locker rooms, changing areas, or any other area designated as a place for changing clothes or undressing.
b. Adult Participants must not change clothes or behave in a manner that intentionally or recklessly exposes their breasts, buttocks, groins, or genitals to a Minor Athlete.
c. Adult Participants must not shower with Minor Athletes unless: i. The Adult Participant meets the Close-in-Age Exception; or ii. The shower is part of a pre- or post-activity rinse while wearing swimwear.
d. Parents/guardians may request in writing that their Minor Athlete(s) not change or shower with Adult Participant(s) during In-Program Contact. USAC, the LA or the Club and the Adult Participant(s) must abide by this request.
3. Media and Championship Celebrations in Locker Rooms
USAC, an LA or Club may permit recording or photography in locker rooms for the purpose of highlighting a sport or athletic accomplishment if:
i. Parent/legal guardian consent has been obtained; and
ii. USAC, the LA or Club approves the specific instance of recording or photography; and
iii. Two or more Adult Participants are present; and
iv. Everyone is fully clothed.
4. Personal Care Assistants
Adult Participant Personal Care Assistants are permitted to be with and assist Minor Athlete(s) in locker rooms, changing areas, and similar spaces where other Minor Athletes are present, if they meet the requirements in subsection (1)(c)(iii) above.
5. Availability and Monitoring of Locker Rooms, Changing Areas, and Similar Spaces
a. USAC, an LA or Club must provide a private or semi-private place for Minor Athletes that need to change clothes or undress at sanctioned events or facilities partially or fully under USAC’s, an LA’s or Club’s jurisdiction.
b. USAC, an LA or Club must monitor the use of locker rooms, changing areas, and similar spaces to ensure compliance with these policies at sanctioned events or facilities partially or fully under USAC’s, an LA’s or Club’s jurisdiction.
Electronic Communications
Electronic communications include, but are not limited to: phone calls, videoconferencing, video coaching, texting and social media.
A. Mandatory Components
- Open and Transparent
- All one-on-one electronic communications between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete must be Open and Transparent except:
i. When a Dual Relationship exists; or
ii. When the Close-in-Age Exception applies; or
iii. If a Minor Athlete needs a Personal Care Assistant and:- the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided written consent to USAC, an LA or Club for the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant to work with the Minor Athlete; and
- Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the Education & Training Policy; and
- the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with USAC’s Background Check Policy.
- Open and Transparent means that the Adult Participant copies or includes the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian, another adult family member of the Minor Athlete, or another Adult Participant.
- If a Minor Athlete communicates with the Adult Participant first, the Adult Participant must follow this policy if the Adult Participant responds.
- All one-on-one electronic communications between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete must be Open and Transparent except:
c. Only platforms that allow for Open and Transparent communication may be used to communicate with Minor Athletes.
2. Team Communication
When an Adult Participant communicates electronically to the entire team or any number of Minor Athletes on the team, the Adult Participant must copy or include another Adult Participant or the Minor Athletes’ parents/guardians.
3. Content
All electronic communication originating from an Adult Participant(s) to a Minor Athlete(s) must be professional in nature unless an exception in (1)(a) exists.
4. Requests to discontinue
Parents/guardians may request in writing that USAC, an LA, Club or an Adult Participant subject to this policy not contact their Minor Athlete through any form of electronic communication. USAC, an LA or Club and the Adult Participant must abide by any request to discontinue, absent emergency circumstances.
B. Recommended Best Practices
1. Hours
Electronic communications will generally only be sent between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. local time for the location of the Minor Athlete, unless emergency circumstances exist.
2. Social Media Connections
Adult Participants, except those with a Dual Relationship or who meet the Close-in-Age Exception, are not permitted to maintain private social media connections with Minor Athletes and should discontinue existing social media connections with Minor Athletes.
Transportation
A. Mandatory Components
- Transportation
- An Adult Participant cannot transport a Minor Athlete one-on-one during In-Program travel, except if:
- A Dual Relationship exists; or
- The Close-in-Age Exception applies; or
- A Minor Athlete needs a Personal Care Assistant and:
1) the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided written consent to USAC, an LA or Club for the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant to work with the Minor Athlete; and
2) the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the Education & Training Policy; and
3) the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with USAC’s Background Check Policy; or - The Adult Participant has advance, written consent to transport the Minor Athlete one-on-one obtained at least annually from the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian.
- An Adult Participant cannot transport a Minor Athlete one-on-one during In-Program travel, except if:
b. Minor Athlete(s) or their parent/guardian can withdraw consent at any time.
c. An Adult Participant meets the In-Program transportation requirements if the Adult Participant is accompanied by another Adult Participant or at least two minors.
d. Written consent from a Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian is required for all transportation related to a USAC, LA or Club sponsored or sanctioned event.
B. Recommended Best Practices
- Shared or Carpool Travel Arrangement
We encourage parents/legal guardians to pick up their Minor Athlete first and drop off their Minor Athlete last in any shared or carpool travel arrangement.
2. Parent Training
Parents/legal guardians receive the U.S. Center for SafeSport education and training on child abuse prevention before providing consent for their Minor Athlete to travel one-on-one with an Adult Participant.
Lodging
A. Mandatory Components
- Hotel Rooms and Other Sleeping Arrangements
- All In-Program Contact at a hotel or lodging site between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete must be observable and interruptible, and an Adult Participant cannot share a hotel room or otherwise sleep in the same room with a Minor Athlete(s), except if:
- Dual Relationship Exists, and the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided USAC, an LA or Club with advance, written consent for the lodging arrangement;
- The Close-in-Age Exception applies, and the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided USAC, an LA or Club with advance, written consent for the lodging arrangement; or
- The Minor Athlete needs a Personal Care Assistant, and:
- The Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian has provided advance, written consent to USAC, an LA or Club for the Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant to work with the Minor Athlete and for the lodging arrangement;
- The Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with the Education & Training Policy; and
- The Adult Participant Personal Care Assistant has complied with USAC’s Background Check Policy.
- Written consent from a Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian must be obtained for all In-Program lodging at least annually.
- All In-Program Contact at a hotel or lodging site between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete must be observable and interruptible, and an Adult Participant cannot share a hotel room or otherwise sleep in the same room with a Minor Athlete(s), except if:
- Monitoring or Room Checks During In-Program Travel
If room checks are performed during In-Program lodging, the one-on-one interaction policy must be followed and at least two adults must be present for the room checks. - Additional Requirements for Lodging Authorized or Funded by USAC, LA or Club
a. Adult Participants traveling with USAC, an LA or Club must agree to and sign USAC’s lodging policy at least annually.
b. Adult Participants that travel overnight with Minor Athlete(s) are assumed to have Authority over Minor Athlete(s) and thus must comply with USAC’s Education & Training Policy.
B. Recommended Components
Parent Training
Parents/guardians receive the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s education and training on child abuse prevention before providing consent for lodging arrangements under this policy.