Organizational Development 101

Health and Safety

Presenters

Amy Skeen, Executive Director

Monique Turner, Programs Director

Kristi Skala, Training and Evaluation Manager

Workshop Objectives

I. Hear about Girls in the Game, a successful program model that uses an integrated curriculum of physical activity, nutrition education and leadership/self-esteem development

II. Experience Girls in the Game Best Practice Manual through and assessment activity

III. Learn Best Practices for Health and Safety

V. Learn how you can become a part of Spring Training

Sports. Health. Leadership. Life.

MissionGirls in the Game provides and promotes sports & fitness opportunities, nutrition & health education, and leadership development to enhance the overall health and well-being of all girls.                                                                                                                    Since 1995, has emerged as a leading girls' health and fitness organization in Chicago. Every year, Girls in the Game empowers more than 3,000 girls to make healthierchoices and develop the confidence and leadership skills they need to succeed on and off the field.

From yoga and lacrosse to soccer and dance, Girls in theGame, exposes girls to a wide and energizing mix of sports and fitness activities year round.

Our Programs: Girls’ Advisory Board After School Summer Camp Varsity Squad Game Days Leadership Development Parent and Family Initiatives Spring Training

Girls are encouraged to get in the game —any game—so they can learn teamwork and

determination, and to make choices that lead to a happier, healthier life.

About the Girls

Girls in the Game welcomes girls from diverse backgrounds and abilities, ages 6-18.

Participants live in a cross-section of neighborhoods on the north, south, and west sides of Chicago, as well as in the suburbs.

About our Model

Girls in the Game is one of the only organizations, in Chicago and the nation, that addresses girls’ physical, mental, and emotional health with a comprehensive approach to their well-being. 

Unlike many traditional youth programs, Girls in the Game:

• addresses the needs of the whole girl

• exposes girls to multiple sports and fitness activities always integrated with nutrition & health education and leadership development

• engages girls and young women ages 6-18 year-round and for the long term

• provides peer-to-peer education as well as parent and community involvement

• uses a comprehensive program that’s proven to work

Spring Training Best Practice Manual Chapters

•BUILD the team

•ESTABLISH the program

•RECRUIT participants

•LEAD the program

•INVOLVE parents and guardians

•ENSURE safety and health

•EVALUATE program effectiveness

ENSURE safety and health

UNDERSTAND program expectations

RECEIVE orientation and training

IDENTIFY Coaches

MANAGE basic first aid

DEVELOP medical care procedures

COMPLY with Mandated Reporter Status

MAINTAIN professional boundaries

ENSURE HEALTH AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT

(Rank yourself: 3=completed, 2=started, 1=not started) 

1. We have a standardized and effective process for recruiting quality coaches. 3 2 1

2. We have a standardized and effective orientation and training program for coaches. 3 2 1

3. All of our coaches have cleared background checks before working with youth. 3 2 1

4. All of our coaches are CPR and First Aid certified. 3 2 1

5. We have more than one coach assigned to lead sessions. 3 2 1

6. We have scheduled trainings and meetings which coaches are required to attend. 3 2 1

7. Coaches communicate with each other between sessions and in advance to discuss

schedule changes or program issues. 3 2 1

8. Coaches demonstrate a high level of professionalism when working with youth or

interacting with parents or guardians. 3 2 1

9. We evaluate coaches annually, providing them with a written evaluation. 3 2 1

10. We have a transition plan to effectively handle changes in staffing, while providing

minimal disruption in programming for youth. 3 2 1

ESURE SAFETY AND HEALTH ACTION PLAN 

Review the items in the Ensure Safety and Health Assessment sheet. Record each item that received a rank of 1 or 2 in the Action Plan below. This tool can help provide a measurable plan to improve skill or operations, as needed.

What needs improvement?

What will be done?

Who is responsible and what resources

are needed?

When will this be

completed?

1.

2.

UNDERSTAND Program Expectations

• Standardized policies and procedures

• Consistency

Ensure Safety and Health

RECEIVE orientation and training

• Background checks

• CPR/First Aid

• Orientation and ongoing

IDENTIFY Coaches

• Uniform and/or name tag

• Set location

• Know names (“Coach” ______)

• Substitutes

Ensure Safety and Health

MANAGE basic first aid

• Forms

• Emergency policy and procedures

• First aid kits

• Phone access

• Accident/Incident forms

• Communicate

Ensure Safety and Health

COMPLY with Mandated Reporter Status

• Know the law• Standardized policy and procedures

MAINTAIN Professional Boundaries

• “Friendly” not “Friends” with

Ensure Safety and Health

Spring Training

• Professional Development• Certification Program

– Best Practice Manual– Spring Training Curriculum– Follow up support

• Web Based access– Resources– Tools

For more information on Spring Training please go to our website

www.girlsinthegame.org or call Girls in the Game at 312.633.4263.

Amy Skeen, MSW, LCSW, Executive Director, holds her Master ﾕ s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Amy has fifteen years of experience in nonprofit program operations, specifically working with youth and families. She earned a Type 73 certificate that qualifies her to provide social work services to children with special needs in a school setting. Amy has received numerous awards for her leadership including One of Chicago ﾕ s Top Women Making a Difference for Girls, (Women Employed 2008).

Kristi Skala, MS, Training and Evaluation Manager, holds her Masters in School and College Health Programs from Indiana University. Kristi is passionate about health education for youth, especially knowing the impact sports and living a healthy lifestyle had on her growing up. Upon graduating from her Master ﾕ s program she became the Curriculum Developer for the Physical Education Walk Across Illinois School Fitness Program.

Monique Turner, Programs Director, holds a Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership/School Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University. Prior to joining Girls in the Game, Monique led programs at the Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Schools. Monique is passionate about coordinating healthy lifestyle programs for girls because girls who are physically active are more likely to be successful in and out of school.

About the Presenters