Youth Protection Association For Dance

YPAD Certified Educators have completed the online Safety & Wellness modules, including a passing background check, are First Aid/CPR certified, agree to follow a professional code of conduct, and agree to be mandated reporters.

YPAD Certified studio means all staff have completed the online Safety & Wellness modules, including passing a background check, are CPR Certified, and agree to be mandated reporters *All staff includes, full time or part time, office management, instructors, and additional staff.
YPAD helps Certified Studios and Educators hold themselves accountable to the best practices in our training through a 5-tier system of accountability and conflict resolution.

YPAD Certified Events have had all of their staff complete the online Safety & Wellness modules, including a passing background check, agree to have a First Aid/CPR certified staff member on site for each room, agree to follow a professional code of conduct, agree to develop safety policies and protocols that are specific to events, and agree to be mandated reporters.
YPAD helps Certified Events hold themselves accountable to the best practices in our training through a 5-tier system of accountability and conflict resolution.

YPAD has provided various courses, seminars, and certifications on Safety and Wellness in youth dance. One of our seminars is called Better + Safer. It is a 3-4 hour seminar that covers a variety of YPAD topics and is geared towards organizations. When organizations engage YPAD for this course, it's often part of a larger professional development effort. Attendance may be recommended for their staff, but not required. Attendance at a Better + Safer Seminar does not imply certification, an ongoing organizational relationship, or accountability. A YPAD Better + Safer Seminar is an education seminar only.

YPAD Certification is a much different process–it's an all-in commitment. All staff must complete the training and become background checked. Additionally, a certain number of staff at events must also be CPR/First Aid/AED certified. The event must also implement a Code of Conduct and Safety Handbook, which all faculty must adhere to. Certification additionally requires that event producers hold their faculty to ongoing discussions regarding developmentally appropriate choices and agree to a 5-tier system of accountability and conflict resolution. Certification and background checks for everyone must also be renewed every two years.

The goal of YPAD is to provide evidence-based research and to encourage thoughtful conversation around developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate approaches to dance education. YPAD is not interested in blanket censorship or policing the dance industry. Rather, the YPAD mission, through the use of online courses, seminars, and certifications, has been to educate dance studios, dance professionals, and communities worldwide on the core elements in constructing an environment focused on the well-being of kids and a sustainable, safe future for dance. Dance environments, teaching methods, and content differ when teaching young children, adolescents and adults. YPAD believes that when you know better, you do better. Making developmentally appropriate choices for children is not artistic censorship, it is stewardship. Together we can create healthier environments for all dancers.

Background Checks are available to be performed by a YPAD trusted partner, Intellicorp, or you can use a local county agency. Background checks are not currently covered by YPAD.