Protective Behaviors Training

The Special Olympics U.S. Risk Management and Insurance Task Force have created new online Protective Behaviors training material. The new training material is a critical tool for protecting Special Olympics athletes from sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

Each U.S. program must incorporate the new Protective Behaviors training into its regular ongoing training for all Class A volunteers and staff members. Effective October 1, 2007, the new online version of the Protective Behaviors training will replace all previous Protective Behaviors materials.

All existing Class A volunteers (coaches, chaperones, volunteers who are one-on-one with Special Olympics athletes) must complete the online training by December 31, 2007, even volunteers who have already completed the SOI Protective Behaviors training are still required to complete this new online training. The training must then be completed at least once every three years.

New Class A volunteer applicants must complete the online training before they can become a Class A volunteer. The training must also be completed at least once every three years.

Please visit: www.specialolympics.org/protectivebehaviors to complete the online training.

After completing the online training, volunteers will be asked to complete a 10 question test and submit their name and contact information.

Volunteers who do not have access to the internet may request a CD or written version of the Protective Behavior Training. They will then complete a hard copy of the 10 question test and submit that test to the state office. Please contact Rhonda Schwarzkopf to receive the CD or written version of the online training, the hard copy test or addittional information regarding the Protective Behaviors Training.

For more information, please contact Erin Hall at (515-986-5520, ext. 119).