Youth Protection

All persons affiliat

ed with a member program shall submit to an Act 34 criminal record and an Act 151 child abuse history checks. The costs associated with completing the checks will be born by member program. The criminal record check will be completed by submitting form SP4-164 to the Pennsylvania State Police. The child abuse history check will be completed by submitting form CY 113 to the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare. Any individual added to the staff of a member program must submit to the above tests before being allowed to participate, whether during an existing season or any new season hereafter.

The results of the checks will be maintained by the member program. Each member program will submit a Certificate of Compliance to the Commissioner when all checks are completed listing all eligible individuals.

It will be the responsibility of the member team to terminate an existing staff member or deny a position to an applicant based on the results of the tests. It is suggested that no individual be accepted to a program who has been convicted of a felony, a crime against a child, violent crime, domestic violence, or alcohol/drug offense.

As long as the person checked remains on the staff of the same member team, a new series of checks need not be completed unless the member team has reason to believe there has been a change of circumstances. All individuals checked have an affirmative duty to report any change in circumstance to his/her member team.

Parish Football Associations. All CFA parish football associations will adopt and adhere to the provisions of the Youth Protection Program, Diocese of Harrisburg. For more information about the program go to the Harrisburg Diocese Web Site at: http://www.hbgdiocese.org

On the Harrisburg Diocese Home Page click on the "Youth Protection" button. The "Youth Protection" page includes buttons for: Online Training, How to Report, Information and Procedures, Links and Resources and Information Updates.

Click on the Information and Procedures button for the Youth Protection page. The page lists Diocesan Youth Protection Program, Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Criminal Records Checks, Procedural Documents, General Information, and Code of Conduct for Behaviors with Minors.

Procedural Documents will provide info on Diocesan Procedures for Criminal Records Checks and Forms for Criminal Records Checks.

REQUEST FOR CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK

State Police
Background Check

PENNSYLVANIA CHILD ABUSE HISTORY CLEARANCE

DPW Background Check

CFA Football League

Zero Tolerance Spectator Rules of Conduct

Youth football is for the development and participation of young children. Football games are contests that allow our children to learn to honor the game of football. On the field officials penalize players and coaches when rules are violated and behavior is unsportsmanlike. Off the field, there are no officials to penalize spectators whose behavior becomes unacceptable due to stress and emotions.

In the past adult behavior that was entirely unacceptable resulted in the expulsion of organizations, adults and guilty persons from the CFA. Think about that for a moment. Children were denied the privileges of participating in CFA youth football because of some adult’s inappropriate behavior. We cannot have this unfortunate situation because it is unfair to our children.

Accordingly, effective August 1, 2011, the CFA, in order to protect the reputation and the participation of our children, hereby adopts the following to be enforced by all CFA Associations.

ZERO TOLERANCE SPECTATOR RULES OF CONDUCT

No Profanity is allowed

No intimidating language or actions shall be directed toward players, coaches, spectators, guests or anyone else

No heckling of game officials, coaches or players

Absolutely no spectators shall be allowed inside the fence during practices or on game days

Absolutely no alcoholic beverages are permitted during practice or games

The unacceptable behavior of a single spectator could endanger the continued participation of our entire group of children in this league. Consequently, any person who violates any one or all of the “Zero Tolerance Spectator Rules of Conduct” will cause themselves and possibly their participating child/children to be immediately expelled from the CFA Football League.

GUIDE TO HEAT ILLNESS

Fluid replacement is an important nutritional concern for football players. Approximately 60% of body weight is water

Football Gear Is For Protection, Not Cooling

As a football player trains and competes, fluid is lost through the skin as sweat, through the lungs as he breathes and as urine. If fluid is not replaced at regular intervals during a game or training it can quickly lead to dehydration.

Football players are at increased risk of dehydration in part because of their equipment needs. Football gear is designed for protection, but the necessary padding does not allow for quick evaporation or cooling. It's not uncommon for players to lose anywhere between 5-15 pounds during a game or workout, especially during two-a-day practices.

In addition, a player's helmet substantially reduces the body's ability to release heat, thus increasing body temperature and the risk of heat illness. Players that are dehydrated will fatigue earlier, lose coordination skills and have a higher risk of heat exhaustion, heat illness or even heat stroke. If a football player wants to maximize his athletic potential he should make sure that he is well-hydrated throughout the game or practice.

What Fluids Should Players Consume?

Research shows that a sports drink containing 6% carbohydrate (14g/8 oz serving) can be absorbed in the body as rapidly as water. But unlike water, a sports drink can provide energy to the working muscles, delay fatigue and improve performance. Players that consume a sports drink can maintain higher energy levels at a time when energy stores are becoming depleted. Players who dilute sports drinks don't get enough carbohydrate to maintain energy levels. Also, drinking beverages that have a high carbohydrate level, like soft drinks and some fruit juices, can slow fluid absorption.

Don't Wait Until You're Thirsty

Thirst mechanisms don't kick in until a player has lost about 2% of his body weight as sweat. In other words, a defensive player who weighs 250 pounds may lose 5 pounds before he even becomes thirsty. Unfortunately, this small amount of fluid loss can hurt performance skills and the player may be fatigued before he starts to drink!
Players often drink to quench their mouth thirst. If a player only drinks to quench his thirst he may be replacing only 1/2 to 2/3 of the fluids lost. As a result, he will start the next practice or workout in a state of dehydration. Football players need to drink throughout the day whether they are thirsty or not.

Research shows that a sports drink containing 6% carbohydrate can be absorbed in the body as rapidly as water. But unlike water, a sports drink can provide energy to the working muscles, delay fatigue and improve performance.

Fluid Intake Recommendations

Players should have unlimited access to fluids (sports drinks and water) throughout the game or workout.
Weigh players before and after practice. For each pound lost during the workout, an athlete should consume at least 20 oz of fluid. If this recommended amount of fluid isn't consumed, the player must replace 80% of lost weight by next practice to avoid dehydration.
Check the color of the urine. If it is a dark, gold color (like apple juice) the player is already slightly dehydrated. If it is very pale yellow (like lemonade) then he is on the way to being hydrated.
Players should consume 17-20 oz of fluid two hours prior to the start of the game or workout.
Players should drink during exercise to minimize losses in body weight but should not over drink.
Avoid carbonated drinks. They can cause bloating and may decrease the amount of fluid consumed.