Special Olympics strives to provide an environment where athletes are secure and protected. Special Olympics as implemented a number of steps to help make participating in Special Olympics not only rewarding, but also safe. One step is the Protective Behaviors Course that was recently updated. The new training material is a critical tool in helping to protect Special Olympics athletes from physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Special Olympics Inc. requires that each U.S. program incorporate the new Protective Behaviors training into its ongoing training and screening for all Class A volunteers. All Class A volunteers are required to complete the new training course.  Protective Behaviors training completed prior to Aug. 1, 2007, is no longer valid. 

This applies to new volunteers submitting forms and existing volunteers that already have approved Class A forms on file with Special Olympics Illinois. New Class A volunteers must complete the training prior to submitting their forms. Existing Class A volunteers must complete the training in order to maintain their approved status. 

Go to the Special Olympics Inc. website and complete the Protective Behaviors course as prompted by the materials. The training is offered on-line at http://staging.specialolympics.org/protective_behaviors.aspx

To view, click here: http://www.ilso.org/page.php?p=270