Coach volunteers, Board members and all other adults taking a significant role in club activities are required to complete four safety requirements before being authorized to participate.

1. Fingerprinting Background Check - Valid for 3 Years
2. SafeSport - Valid for 1 Year
3. Heads-Up! Concussion Certificate - Valid for 3 Years
4. NJ Disclosure Form - Completed with your Online Registration Each Season*

* Beginning in 2024, the NJ Disclosure Form data will be collected during coach registration via Demosphere.

Please note:

• Please submit safety documents as you complete them so that we know you are making progress toward being eligible to coach.
• All coaches please keep a record of all certificates and submissions.
• Once a coach has completed Safety Requirements, their Team Staff Volunteer status will change from ‘Pending Review’ to ‘Approved’.

1) Background Check – Valid for Three Years

• A detailed overview of the background check process is available via this document.
• Coaches that have been fingerprinted and approved by Pinelanders or any other Howell Township Youth Sports Organization can check the expiration date on the Howell website by viewing this document. No action is needed, however if you are new to the club we ask you to email us to confirm your status.
• If you are a new coach or your background check is expired, you must make an appointment to be fingerprinted at location (Brick and Ocean Township are the closest locations).
  • View this document for instructions on making your fingerprinting appointment.
  • DON’T DELAY. APPOINTMENTS FILL FAST.  
• Once you have completed you finger prints, please email a copy of the receipt to pysc.safety@gmail.com (Please put in the email’s subject line: Finger Print- Last Name)

2) SafeSport

• Valid for 1 calendar year from date on your latest certificate
• SafeSport requires an initial 90-minute course in Year 1, then a 30-minute refresher course in Year 2, Year 3, and Year 4. You will then have to repeat the cycle.
• These are the SafeSport courses that meet this requirement:
  • SafeSport Trained - U.S. Soccer Federation (YEAR 1)
  • Refresher 1: Recognizing and Reporting Misconduct - U.S. Soccer Federation (YEAR 2)
  • Refresher 2: Preventing Misconduct - U.S. Soccer Federation (YEAR 3)
  • Refresher 3: Creating a Positive Sport Environment – U.S. Soccer Federation (YEAR 4)
• Returning Coaches (with previous SafeSport training)
  • Visit https://safesporttrained.org
  • Log in and complete the next course required.
  • If you have questions about which course to take, please contact us for guidance!
• New Coaches
  • Use this link to create an account.
    • Enter N/A in field for ‘Organizational Member ID’
    • Please wait several seconds …
    • .... and accept terms & conditions
    • Click “My Courses” and start “SafeSport Trained – U.S. Soccer Federation”. 
  • When completed, email a copy of your SafeSport certificate to pysc.safety@gmail.com (Please put in the email’s subject line: SafeSport Certificate- Last Name)

3) Heads-Up! Concussion Awareness Certificate

• Valid for 3 years from date on certificate
• Complete this course from the CDC: https://www.train.org/cdctrain/course/1089818/details
• When completed. email a copy of your Heads-Up certificate to pysc.safety@gmail.com (Please put in the email’s subject line: Heads-Up Certificate - Last Name)
• Coaches should keep this certificate in their coaching bag.

4) NJ Disclosure Form

• Beginning in 2024, this form information is collected when you register via Demosphere. A separate submission is no longer required. 

Please contact us at pysc.safety@gmail.com with questions about Coach Safety!