Building Confidence Through Kansas' Young Athletes Program

1. Special Olympics Kansas Young Athletes Program Building confidence and bringing families together

2. What is a Young Athletes Program? • An innovative sports play program • For children ages 3-7 with intellectual disabilities, and their peers • Designed to introduce them to the world of sports • Intended to prepare them for Special Olympics eligibility at the age of 8

3. Young Athletes Goals • Improve child’s abilities…physically, cognitively, and socially • Raise public awareness about the child’s abilities • Offer a forum for meaningful interaction between child with intellectual disabilities and their peers • Expose families to the resources and support available within Special Olympics • Provide a vehicle for families to network with each other

4. Activity List • Fundamental Skills • Walking & Running • Balancing & Jumping • Trapping & Catching

5. Throwing • Striking • Kicking • Advanced Skills Such as Bounce & Catch, and Punting

6. SOKS plans to partner with: • Preschools • Agencies serving children with intellectual disabilities • Families • Schools • Parks Districts

7. Who do we need to help implement the program? • Volunteers • Clinicians to facilitate the program • Program aides to assist • SOKS staff members to recruit participants and train clinicians

8. How Do I Become a Clinician? • Complete a Young Athletes Clinician Application • Complete required SOKS paperwork • Class A volunteer form • Protective Behavior training (on-line at www.ksso.org) • Attend a Clinician training • Shadow a trained Clinician • Commit to running 4 clinics

9. Planning Steps • Identify a facility • Free or minimal cost (approval from Terri) • Size of Elementary School Gym • Free of obstacles • Available for 2 hour time frame • Identify local agencies who can assist in recruiting children-look for peer models

10. Planning Steps • Modify Generic flyer– post in local schools, community centers, and facilities for children with disabilities • Recruit - at least 4 children/no more than 16, require RSVP from families (staffing/equipment) • Contact Terri 2 mths prior to trainingto order activity kits • Recruit volunteers - Usually 8-10 (2 per station), usually High School Students

11. Develop a Training Plan • Plan warm-up activity • Simple large muscle stretching • Activity based on stretching • Identify stations based on Activity list in the training guide • 5-6 stations depending on space • Focus on at least 3 different activity groups • Plan on approximately 5 minutes per station • Plan at least 1 group activity based on motor skills

12. Needed Paperwork and Supplies • Young Athlete Registration Form (example) • Young Athlete Release Form (example) • Religious Objections Form- if needed (example) • Day of Event Form- Volunteers (example) • Athlete Sign-in Form (example) • Activity kits and guides from SOKS • Pens/Pencils • Name Tags for parents, children and volunteers • First Aid kit

13. Training Day – Prior to the Start • Set the arrival time to allow • Time to set-up stations • Have volunteer meeting, and • Have everything ready 15 minutes prior to arrival time • As children arrive confirm their paperwork is completed • Parents sign-in children and get name tags for children • At scheduled time bring everyone together • Encourage 1 parent to participate for every child • Describe schedule of activities to parents

14. Volunteer Meeting • Complete “Day of Event” Volunteer Form • Complete Name Tag • Have them help to set-up stations • Explain all the stations and objectives • Emphasize importance of demonstrating skill • Children will have different abilities • Make sure every child has success • Have FUN • Volunteers choose stations - 2 volunteers at each station

15. Training Day – Start the Activities • Stretching Exercise (5 minutes) • Divide group into smaller groups - 3/4 children in each group • Assign groups to different stations • Rotate stations until everyone has done each activity - approximately 5 minutes at each station • Water/Restroom break • Organize large group activity to reinforce motor skills

16. Wrap Up • Group Huddle or similar activity at the end • Recognize volunteers • Give parents activity kit & activity guide • Thank parents

17. Post-Training • Evaluate the training session • Send registration forms to Terri

18. The Future of Young Athletes™ Strengthen and Expand Young Athletes Program in Kansas • 200 young athletes in 2010 • 200 young athletes in 2011

19. TheFuture • Recruit next generation of Special Olympics athletes and Unified Partners • Enhance Young Athlete Resources • Target expansion statewide • Resource Development-Identify and cultivate new funding avenues • Integration-Position Young athletes as a starting point for Special Olympics experience

20. Questions?