The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), in collaboration with the U.S. Center for SafeSport (The Center), has developed an online education course titled “Protecting Students from Abuse,” which is available at no cost on the NFHS Learning Center at www.NFHSLearn.com.
In an effort to assist schools in creating an enjoyable and safe environment for students, the course presents definitions of several types of abusive behaviors and misconduct, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse, and the ways in which someone can report these behaviors. The course also includes some “DOs and DON’Ts” for making a report.
The “Protecting Students from Abuse” course was developed from the training offered by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, whose vision is “to make sure that athletes are safe, supported and strengthened through sports.” The organization addresses bullying, harassment, hazing, as well as physical, emotional and sexual abuse and misconduct in sport.
“We are pleased to be able to offer this course to help schools provide a sport environment for young people that is free from abuse, where they have the opportunity to learn lifelong lessons through interscholastic activity programs,” said Dr. Karissa Niehoff, NFHS executive director. “We are grateful that the U.S. Center for SafeSport provided the resources and content for this course as all groups work together to make a difference in the lives of our nation’s young people.”
The course includes videos, which guide users with voiceover, text and other visual aids; as well as slides and quizzes. It is intended for all individuals who work with student-athletes and can assist administrators as they review school and district policies regarding hazing, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct.
“The Center is dedicated to providing accessible online training and educational materials to athletes of all levels,” said Shellie Pfohl, president and CEO of the U.S. Center for SafeSport. “We are proud to work with the NFHS to equip our nation’s students with the tools and resources to prevent and address all forms of abuse.”
Currently, 62 courses are available through the NFHS Learning Center, including 28 that are available free of charge. In addition to Protecting Students from Abuse, other popular free courses are Concussion in Sports, Heat Illness Prevention, Sportsmanship, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and Bullying, Hazing and Inappropriate Behaviors.
Among the new free courses in the performing arts area are Understanding Copyright and Compliance, and Adjudicating Speech and Debate.
In addition to 16 sport-specific courses for coaches, the Learning Center offers eight sport-specific officiating courses, as well as Teaching Sports Skills and AACCA Spirit Safety Certification. Since its founding in 2007, the NFHS Learning Center has delivered more than 7 million online education courses.
About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS): The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 16 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,500 high schools and 12 million participants in high school activity programs, including almost 8 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.
About the U.S. Center for SafeSport: The Center is the first and only national organization of its kind focused on ending all forms of abuse in sport while carrying out its mission of making athlete well-being the centerpiece of our nation’s sports culture through abuse prevention, education and accountability. As an independent non-profit headquartered in Denver, CO, the Center provides services to sport entities on abuse prevention techniques, policies and programs and provides a safe, professional and confidential place for individuals to report sexual abuse within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements. For more information, please visit www.safesport.org.
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