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 AND HOW TO OBTAIN?
1.) State Police criminal record check
* Obtain online by visiting the State Police web site - Click Here.
2.) PA Child Abuse Clearance
* Obtain online - Click Here
3.) If PA resident for at least 10 years: notarized volunteer affidavit
* Obtain Volunteer Qualification Affidavit (PDF): Click Here
4.) If PA resident for less than 10 years: FBI Criminal Background Check
* Obtain an FBI Fingerprint Clearance: Click Here The service code to apply for volunteer fingerprinting is 1KG6ZJ
5.) SafeSports Certificate
* Obtain training online select the 'SafeSport Trained – U.S. Soccer Federation' course Click Here
* Member access for coaches and referees training is available at no cost. Please contact Risk Manager, Steve Hough, for the Membership ID.
6.) Grassroots 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.
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, 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.