The PA Child Protective Services Law changed effective January 1, 2015. All background checks must be completed using the provider designated by Pennsylvania per the requirements of the law. All individuals must upload the required documents into the PA West Soccer Online Risk Management System prior to the season beginning or you will NOT be permitted on the field.
Below you will find steps for becoming a coach, what clearances are required and how to obtain the necessary clearances.
STEPS FOR BECOMING A COACH
1.) Determine if you have the time to dedicate to the season
2.) Register yourself as a volunteer in your family Sports Connect account.
3.) Obtain required Clearances(listed below)
4.) Upload Clearances into your online portal
5.) Complete Grassroots online training course
6.) Attend pre-season Coaches Meeting
WHAT IS REQUIRED?
1.) State Police criminal record check
2.) PA Child Abuse Clearance
3.) If PA resident for at least 10 years: notarized volunteer affidavit
4.) If PA resident for less than 10 years: FBI Criminal Background Check
5.) SafeSports Certificate
6.) Grassroots Training Course
HOW DO YOU OBTAIN?
1.) State Police criminal record check
* They can be obtained online by visiting the State Police web site - Click Here.
2.) PA Child Abuse Clearance
* PA Child Abuse History Clearance requests may be made online - Click Here
3.) If PA resident for at least 10 years: notarized volunteer affidavit
* Volunteer Qualification Affidavit (PDF): Click Here
4.) If PA resident for less than 10 years: FBI Criminal Background Check
* To request an FBI Fingerprint Clearance: Click Here The service code to apply for volunteer fingerprinting is 1KG6ZJ
5.) Safe Sports Certificate
* The training is online elect the 'SafeSport Trained – U.S. Soccer Federation' course Click Here
6.) Grassroots Online Training Course'
* The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced a new Coaching Education Pathway Click Here
RESOURCES
PA West Risk Management
Zero Tolerance Policy
PA West Instructions (PDF)
Tips for uploading
Proper coaching is crucial for player development.
These courses are provided to equip volunteer parent-coaches with the background information
and tools needed to be successful youth coaches.
We have member access so all of our coaches and referees can complete this training at no cost.
Please contact Risk Manager and Registrar, Steve Hough, at [email protected] to request the Membership ID.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
US SOCCER LEARNING CENTER Coaches can pursue additional training through the Grassroots training module specific to their age group play format. Courses are offered online or in-person. PRSC will reimburse coaches for the cost of completing these training requirements. Request for reimbursement can be sent to Brad Sizer at [email protected], please include your receipt in your request.
PA West You can learn more and register for additional courses on PA West's website, please visit Scheduled Courses.
CDC Heads Up This training will help you with a basic understanding of concussion. Simply go online and take the self-guided training. Once you complete the training and quiz, you can print out a certificate, making it easy to show your league or school that you have completed this intro course offered by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) and US Youth Soccer.