Bill Overview
Title: PLAYS in Youth Sports Act
Description: This bill directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish a program to award grants to eligible national nonprofit organizations to improve the health and positive youth development impacts of youth sports participation and to increase access to youth sports for all children and youth, especially underserved populations. The activities supported include training and certification programs for coaches; training for youth development and character development; instructing positive parental involvement; developing and implementing coach and volunteer retention efforts; fostering a positive sport experience for all involved that emphasizes athlete development over winning at all costs; and activities to enhance effects beyond the playing field, such as with respect to nutrition practices, academic performance, encouragement of life-long practices, and promotion of positive self-image. The bill sets forth provisions regarding background checks of coaches, mentors, and other adults with access to youth sports participants. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may establish a program to award grants to municipalities, counties, and states to fund efforts to establish and implement model standards, such as through surveys, studies, pilot programs, and guidelines, for out-of-school youth sports coaches. The Government Accountability Office and HHS must report to Congress regarding youth sports. The bill authorizes the CDC and the National Institutes of Health to undertake, support, enhance, and expand research and prevention efforts to advance youth sports safety.
Sponsors: Rep. Allred, Colin Z. [D-TX-32]
Target Audience
Population: Children and youth participating in organized sports activities
Estimated Size: 45000000
- Youth sports are a global phenomenon and present in almost every country.
- Many children participate in some form of organized sports at some point in their lives.
- The bill targets the health and development benefits of youth sports, which is pertinent to all children and youth involved in sports activities.
- While the specifics of the program apply within the US, such legislation can influence international norms and practices.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to impact over 45 million children participating in US youth sports, focusing particularly on underserved communities, so interviews consider diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and regional areas.
- Policy budget constraints imply that while many will be eligible, not all can be significantly impacted due to limited funding.
- Interviews include a combination of enhanced personal satisfaction from improved sports experiences, safety improvements, and potential for increased participation due to grants alleviating financial barriers for some families.
Simulated Interviews
student (Detroit, MI)
Age: 14 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The quality of the sports program at school has a lot to do with our equipment, which isn't great. Having more trained coaches would make a difference.
- If parents get involved more positively, it'll improve our games and practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 10 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited if it means we can have more sports at school and meet new friends.
- I think it would be really good if more girls could join because I love basketball.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
student (Austin, TX)
Age: 16 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having better-trained coaches will help with safety and performance on the football team.
- It's great for bringing more attention to how important sports are for us as students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
student (Rural Arkansas)
Age: 12 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More funds for youth sports could mean new gear and better coaches, which we've needed for so long.
- Our community could really use the improvement in sports access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
student (New York City, NY)
Age: 15 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could help me join more sports, which I've wanted because team sports are fun and let me meet lots of people.
- We need more inclusive spaces in sports.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 13 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy can simplify background checks, making it easier for parents to volunteer.
- Focus on safety and character development is great for everyone—all my friends and I gain from these aspects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
student (Denver, CO)
Age: 11 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It would mean having coaches who know how to teach us better and safely.
- Making sure everyone can play, not just those who can afford it, is important.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
student (Miami, FL)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our team barely scrapes by on funds, so additional support would be monumental.
- This policy might reduce the dropout rate as kids will feel they are getting more out of sports.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
student (Bay Area, CA)
Age: 9 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this means we get better jerseys and better places to play!
- Coaches that help us learn but stay safe are really needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 15 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'd like sports to be more accessible without having to worry about money all the time.
- This can help reduce crime rates if more kids are involved in sports after school.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $65000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $85000000)
Year 2: $68000000 (Low: $47000000, High: $89000000)
Year 3: $70000000 (Low: $49000000, High: $91000000)
Year 5: $75000000 (Low: $52000000, High: $95000000)
Year 10: $80000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $100000000)
Year 100: $110000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $150000000)
Key Considerations
- The initial costs are high due to the requirement for training and certifications as well as research initiatives.
- Long-term savings might offset initial costs, especially in healthcare and criminal justice.
- The legislation's focus on underserved populations may require additional targeted funding and resources.