Background Screening is Your First Line of Defense
Of the 60 million youth athletes throughout the United States, an estimated 4.8 million may be victims of sexual abuse. This is why the main priority for the Athlete Protection & Safety program at USA Lacrosse is implementing policies and procedures that promote safe environments for all participating athletes. Having best practices in place ensures USA Lacrosse is doing everything possible to help prevent youth athletes from experiencing any type of misconduct or abuse.
Unfortunately, misconduct and abuse can happen in any sport. USA Lacrosse utilizes a multi-level approach with preventative measures to help reduce the risk of abuse experienced by athletes. The first line of defense is mandatory background screening for all coach members.
Over 90% of all child sexual abuse involves a perpetrator that the child knows and trusts. In the case of sports, coaches have close and frequent contact with youth athletes that can often span over multiple seasons.
Coaching, specifically with youth athletes, is a privilege, and so implementing background screening is an important process to have in place for youth sports clubs, organizations, and leagues.
Transparency with parents should also be a key factor in the decision-making process when hiring coaches and those who are granted access to young athletes. Parents should ask about the use of appropriate background screening for individuals within their child’s sports club to ensure those athletes are being welcomed into a safe environment.
Background screening will identify what’s known as ‘criterion offenses’, which include any misdemeanor or felony charges. At USA Lacrosse, any background screening that identifies a criterion offense will result in immediate suspension of membership with potential for termination.
Background screening begins when an individual provides (confidentially) their name, social security number, and addresses where they have lived. From this information a comprehensive background screening is performed through searches within:
● National criminal databases
● Criminal court records
● National and state criminal records
● Sex offender databases/registries
These searches will verify if there are any previous arrests, warrants, criminal cases, or convictions (misdemeanors and felonies, including sex offenses) as well as acquitted, pending, or dismissed charges.
It is essential for any sport organization seeking to implement criminal background screening to inquire with a potential provider about the inclusion of all these searches. Another important point to confirm with a provider is that the criminal background screening meets the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulations.
There are many third-party providers that offer background screening services. USA Lacrosse has partnered with the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) – one of the nation’s leaders in background screening services – which was created in partnership with the National Council of Youth Sports.
Since initiating mandatory background screening for coach members in 2018, USA Lacrosse has completed over 73,000 screens. This includes achieving significant back-to-back milestones of 30,000 adult coach and volunteer background screenings completed within each of the previous two-year blocks.
There are many components that can be part of background screening.
For example, USA Lacrosse’s background screening requires searches of two national sex offender databases, two national criminal history databases, various watch lists, fugitive and terrorist database searches, and county courthouse searches based on addresses where an individual has lived.
Clubs, schools, or employers, however, may require different components, resulting in varying degrees of thoroughness. For example, California passed legislation in 2022 requiring employees and volunteers in youth serving organizations (like coaches in youth sports clubs/leagues) to submit a fingerprinting background screening. USA Lacrosse coach members in California are still required to complete background screening with NCSI due to differences in the components searched.
If a local sports group is looking to include background screening for those working within the organization, it is important to know what components are included. At a minimum, background screening for local organizations should include searches of national sex offender registries, identity verification, and national criminal databases.
Additional types of background screening can include motor vehicle reports, social media background checks, or education and employment checks.
National governing bodies for sports that use the USOPC level screening require that it be completed by all coaches, officials, and volunteers at major events within their sport. Regardless of how engaged individuals are at an event, there is still access to youth athletes. Parents and youth sports organization leaders should be aware of the importance of having background screening for adults that have regular interactions with youth athletes and deciding when someone should not be granted the opportunity to be at these events.
In addition to having background screening as a first line of defense, USA Lacrosse also follows best practices by having a comprehensive Athlete Protection & Safety Policy as well as standard operating procedures that provide definitions of key terms, requirements for members, and reporting processes for any allegations of misconduct.
These documents establish transparency with our membership about the Athlete Protection & Safety program.
Another critical component of our Athlete Protection Program is requiring all coach members to complete abuse prevention training through Abuse Prevention Systems. This online educational course covers important topics such as:
● Facts and Misconceptions of Abuse
● Abuser Characteristics
● The Grooming Process
● Methods to Reduce Risk
● Peer-to-Peer Training
● Impact on Children
● Protocol for Reporting Abuse
These courses inform coaches about the realities surrounding athlete abuse. Ultimately, proper abuse prevention training can help adult participants recognize early warning signs of athletes who may be experiencing abuse on or off the field and how to report those situations.
Finally, USA Lacrosse has recently utilized the template from SafeSport to establish its first Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) along with associated consent forms for situations like transportation and overnight travel.
The MAAPP was designed to limit one-on-one adult-minor interactions and is a valuable addition to our Athlete Protection & Safety program.
The ultimate goal of USA Lacrosse’s Athlete Protection & Safety Program is to help create a healthy, safe, and enjoyable environment for participants within the game. This is accomplished by taking proactive and preventative steps to keep athletics free of abuse through education, awareness, and policies. Implementing mandatory background screening is the first step in protecting our athletes. To learn more about USA Lacrosse’s Athlete Protection & Safety Program, please visit our homepage.
This article was originally published by NCYS (National Council of Youth Sports) as part of a safety education collaboration with USA Lacrosse.
Coaches – Novato Lacrosse Club
Coaching Certification Requirements
To be on the sideline on game day, the NCJLA requires all coaches to have a laminated “NCJLA Certified Coach” card.
To receive a card, coaches must complete the following steps.
For more information on NCJLA Coaching Requirements and details on coaching courses CLICK HERE
Returning Coaches
Renew your US Lacrosse Membership + Complete Background Check
Login to US Lacrosse
- Make sure you indicate you are a coach for the “Novato Lacrosse Club”
- After you complete your membership renewal and submit payment, you will receive an email titled “BACKGROUND CHECK NEEDED”. You must complete the background check within 10 days of your US Lacrosse renewal date.
Complete the following ANNUAL REQUIRED courses
- Age Level Rules Test
- Concussion Certification
- Watch Coaching Videos
Download your certifications or proof of completion and email to [email protected]
NEW Coaches
Register for US Lacrosse Membership + Complete Background Check
Login to US Lacrosse
- Make sure you indicate you are a coach for the “Novato Lacrosse Club”
- After you complete your membership renewal and submit payment, you will receive an email titled “BACKGROUND CHECK NEEDED”.
You must complete the background check within 10 days of your US Lacrosse renewal date.
You must complete the background check within 10 days of your US Lacrosse renewal date.Complete the following courses:
- Positive Coaching Alliance: PCA Workshop (“Double Goal Coach: Coaching for Winning and Life Lessons”)
- US Lacrosse Coaches Education: Developing Individual Athletes or Level 1
- Age Level Rules Test
- Concussion Certification
- Watch Coaching Videos
Download your certifications or proof of completion and email to [email protected]
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90,000 Few LGBT People – US Army Sacrifices Readiness for ‘Pro-Buddhism’ – InoTV
Instead of keeping US troops ready, its generals are pushing a ‘Pro-Buddhist’ agenda, according to Fox News.
Personnel decisions in the US Space Force are made with an eye not to professional skills, but to sexual orientation. In this regard, one of the presenters of the American TV channel proposes to restore order in the Pentagon and demolish all of its politicized top.
EMILIE COMPAGNO, Fox News Anchor: Our military is the most powerful in the world, but there has been growing concern lately that it is sacrificing combat readiness to comply with the principles of “pro-Buddhism”. And now US Space Force General Deanna Burt has spoken out about what she called the “anti-LGBT” laws, arguing that they backfired on military families – and now began to play a role in her personal personnel policy. Take a look.
DEANNA BURT, Colonel General, US Space Force: Since January of this year, more than 400 laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community have been pending at the state level. This figure continues to grow and indicates a trend that can pose a threat to both military personnel and their families, and to the combat readiness of the space forces in general.
When I consider potential candidates for positions, for example, squadron commanders, I try to select the right person for the corresponding position – and first of all, I take into account the quality of his work and experience in the profile. However, I also take into account their personal circumstances, and in addition, their family situation is an important factor for me. If a well-suited person in a state does not feel safe enough to be themselves and still perform at their best, or if their family members may be denied critical medical services due to state law, I am forced to consider another candidate who may be of lower skill level.
EMILIE COMPAGNO: So she “has to consider another candidate.” Kaylie, you have a brother serving in the army now – and we all have relatives who are either currently serving or have served in the past. And all the news that I see day after day shows that both our military and our federal agencies are sliding into this: they are focusing on pro-Buddhist minutiae instead of ensuring combat readiness and calling for the banners of the best of the best so that we are ready to meet opponents – well, they are now simply laughing that our officers are “forced” to think about such ridiculous things, and not focus on personal qualities.
KAYLEY McGEE WHITE, journalist: My brother is in the Navy and is very proud of it. But if you talk to the military, they all unanimously say that this is a common problem that is felt in every branch of the military. And the problem is that the leadership is primarily concerned with “social justice” decisions to the detriment of the very clear task of the troops to prevent wars through deterrence or, if that is not possible, to fight those wars and prevail in them. And I’m so glad we’re talking about this. Next week, we’ll be showing a series of stories on exactly that topic in the Washington Examiner titled “Restoring America.” In them, we will focus on the problem of the unpreparedness of the army and whether our troops will actually be ready to face the threats to our country as a result of these “pro-Buddhist” initiatives that our generals are promoting.
EMILY COMPAGNO: Cheryl. While this hurts me both spiritually and emotionally, it also revolts me as a taxpayer when I hear and see the number of emails that arrive every day to members of the military and federal agencies.
They say: “Attend such a course. Visit any course. And they have nothing to do with increased combat readiness, but only serve as an ostentatious virtue to put a tick. And this is their only way to rise, the only way not to break the rules, so that all opportunities open before them. And we pay for it.
CHERYL KOSANE Anchor Fox News: Space Force has a multi-billion dollar budget. We are talking about 30 billion for fiscal year 2024. They are asking for 3.9 billion more than the amount that was originally approved at the time of the creation of the space forces. Their mission is to carry out research and development work. What I have just seen has nothing to do with these principles. I want my 30 billion dollars spent on space forces back. Why are we spending money on this?
EMILIE COMPAGNO: I’m talking about a different topic, but it’s all in the same area. Fort Bragg is now called Fort Liberty because it is part of a “pro-Buddhist” name change.
It cost us, for a second, one billion dollars. One billion dollars. Fox News: Outrageous! Does Russia do this? Does China do this? Are our opponents doing this? Of course not. It’s outrageous! The Republicans are on the winning side in this matter, but there are language difficulties. She talked about anti-LGBTQ laws. When you hear that, you say, “I don’t want anti-LGBTQ laws.” Wrong. These are laws against children undergoing gender reassignment surgery. These are laws against castration of children. Every Republican should say this over and over again. These laws are not against LGBTQ people, but against taking your children away from you.
CHRISTOPHER BEDFORD, anchor Fox News: Florida Gov. reassessment of their central identity. Let’s look at the army. The military general says that we will sacrifice the combat readiness of the army because the space force is not homosexual enough. This is absolute madness. We as a country are not being serious.
We must be focused on something else. If I were president, the first thing I would do would be to fire all the generals with three stars and above. Because if you have reached this level, you are politicized, you have been appointed. The top of the Pentagon is rotten, and any serious president who wants to clean up the Pentagon must start at the top of the Pentagon.
EMILY COMPAGNO : And we are a serious country. But those who make decisions behave absolutely frivolously. That’s where the leak is.
Air date June 17, 2023.
Prohibited and restricted items as cabin baggage – KLM Russia
Would you like to know what you can take as cabin baggage? To help you prepare for your trip, we will tell you which items are prohibited or restricted. Check if there are any restrictions on your baggage allowance.
Liquids
You can carry shampoo and other liquids in containers up to 100 ml each. Pack all liquids in 1 transparent, tight-fitting plastic bag with a maximum volume of 1 liter.
Larger quantities must be carried as checked baggage.
Authorized to transport:
- baby food for feeding the baby during the flight;
- medicines to be taken during the flight with a doctor’s prescription;
- special diet food for consumption during the flight;
- Goods purchased from a duty-free shop and packed in a special tamper-evident plastic bag.
Electronic devices and lithium batteries
You can carry 15 electronic devices with a lithium battery up to 100 Wh and 20 spare lithium batteries or rechargeable batteries up to 100 Wh. A permit is required to carry a lithium battery up to 160 Wh in carry-on baggage, in a device or as a spare. Batteries with a capacity of more than 160 Wh are not allowed. Damaged, defective or recalled devices and batteries are also prohibited.
Please pack each spare battery separately in the original packaging. Do you have original packaging? Cover the contact points with insulating tape and pack each battery in a separate plastic bag.
Please note that it is not allowed to charge spare batteries on board.
Please note that there are a number of devices that can be carried but not used on board: radio controlled toys, televisions, transmitters, VHF scanners or receivers, and any device with cellular network service enabled. These devices may interfere with our aircraft systems.
Electronic Cigarettes
Most routes allow you to carry an electronic cigarette and spare batteries as long as you carry them with you during the flight. Unfortunately, you cannot store an electronic cigarette in your carry-on baggage. Please note that each country may have different rules. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the legal restrictions of the countries you are traveling to.
The use of electronic cigarettes and the recharging of cigarettes or batteries during the flight is prohibited.
Smart bags in luggage
You can carry smart bags equipped with a lithium battery (button batteries excluded).
In this case, the battery must be removed. If it is impossible to remove the battery? Then the bag is forbidden to be carried in hand luggage, as well as as checked baggage.
Transportation of powders from and to the USA
Flying from or to the USA? You can carry no more than 350 ml of powders and powdered substances per piece in your cabin baggage. Larger quantities must be carried as checked baggage. If the powder packaging is not sealed or shows signs of packaging damage, the transportation of the powder is prohibited.
To reduce security check times, we recommend carrying all powders as checked baggage unless you need them during your flight.
These restrictions do not apply to boxes.
Learn more about bins
Prohibited Items
The following items are not allowed as carry-on baggage:
View all
Self-balancing devices or personal mobility aids powered by a lithium battery are not permitted in carry-on baggage, even if the battery is disconnected a or withdrawn, including:
- Hoverboards
- Airboards
- Oxboards
- E-skates
- Waveboards
- U-runner skateboards
90 174 Do you have limited mobility?
A self-balancing device may be transported if required due to limited mobility.
Submit your permit request no later than 48 hours before your flight.
Carry-on baggage is prohibited from carrying guns, firearms or other devices that can be used to cause serious injury by discharging a cartridge, including
- firearms of all types, including pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns
- toy guns, model guns and simulated guns that can be mistaken for real
- firearm components (excluding telescopic projection equipment and viewfinders)
- air guns, air rifles , non-firearms and air pistols
- flares and starting pistols
- bows, crossbows and arrows
- harpoon guns and spearguns
- slingshots and catapults
Instruments intended for stunning or immobilizing are not allowed in carry-on baggage. This includes
- shocking devices, such as stun guns, stun guns, police batons, stun guns or ballistic energy systems
- devices for stunning and killing animals
Pointed and sharp objects that can be used to cause physical harm, including
- axes, axes, butcher’s knives and other tools for chopping and cutting are not allowed in cabin baggage
- knives or scissors with blades longer than 6 cm (other local regulations may apply) 901 16
- ice hatchets and ice axes
- razor blades
- stationery knives
- cross-country skates
- sabers, swords and sword-sticks
- knitting needles and hooks made of metal
Pointed and sharp tools that can be used as weapons, including:
- Crowbars
- Drills and drills
- Tools with a blade or shaft longer than 6 cm, such as screwdrivers and chisels
- Saws, including cordless portable power saws
- Blowtorches
- Fastener guns, construction staplers and nail guns
Do not carry blunt objects that can be used to strike or cause injury in cabin baggage.
Of which:
- Baseball and softball bats
- Batons and sticks, such as police batons;
- Cues for billiards, snooker and pool
- Rods
- Golf clubs, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks and cricket bats
- Kayak or canoe paddles
- Martial arts equipment, such as brass knuckles
- Skateboards and longboards
crew members. Including:
- Ammunition
- Caps, detonators and fuses
- Explosives, devices and materials, models or imitations of explosives
- Mines, grenades and other explosive ordnance
- Fireworks or rocket launchers of any kind (including firecrackers, Christmas crackers and crackers)
- Smoke canisters or cartridges
- Dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives
- Aerosol cans of paint, turpentine and paint thinner
- Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol by volume
- Gas and gas containers, eg butane, propane, acetylene
- Oxygen in large quantities
90 115 Flammable liquid fuels, e.g. gasoline, diesel, volatile fuels, alcohol, ethanol
Small lighters and safety matches may only be carried on the person (not in carry-on baggage).
Carry-on baggage is prohibited from carrying chemicals and toxic substances that may pose a risk to the health or property of passengers and crew members, including:0116
901 15 Spontaneously flammable or explosive substances
If you are flying to the Philippines, you are not allowed to bring jewelry or amulets made from shellfish and their empty shells.
If you are flying to Kenya, Tanzania or Rwanda, you are not allowed to carry plastic bags. Do you want to buy goods in the duty free shop? We recommend removing the plastic bag before boarding.
Need help?
While most prohibited items are listed here, other restrictions may apply in some countries.