Letter of agreement with US Youth Soccer

Attachment M
Letter of Agreement between CSR and U.S. Youth Soccer

AGREEMENT
Between
CSR, Incorporated (CSR)
and
United States Youth Soccer Association, Inc. (US Youth Soccer)
This is an agreement (this “Agreement”) between CSR, Incorporated, hereinafter called “CSR”
and the United States Youth Soccer Association, Inc., hereinafter called “US Youth
Soccer”(individually, a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”) entered into as of the latest date
signed below.

I.

PURPOSE & SCOPE
The purpose of this Agreement is to clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of each
party as they relate to the research project “Improving the Understanding of Traumatic
Injury (“IUTI”). This research is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (“CDC”). The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether differences in state
laws that provide guidance governing when athletes should be removed from play and
when they can return to play after suffering a possible concussive event in either a game
or practice are related to the probability that an athlete will return to play while still
suffering concussion symptoms.
In particular, this Agreement is intended to cover the responsibilities of both parties for:
o Developing the sampling frame to be used in selecting study participants
o Recruiting coaches, athletes and parents as participants in the IUTI
o Collecting and managing survey data from study participants
o Administering the day to day activities related to managing the study, especially
the data collection phase

II.

BACKGROUND
CSR is a 36-year-old consulting and professional services company specializing in
measuring and evaluating the performance and effectiveness of publicly funded programs
and policies. CSR’s mission is to provide government, private and nonprofit
organizations with the knowledge and tools to make informed policy choices and to take
effective action.
CSR is the lead contractor in conducting and managing the IUTI study. The study is
funded through a contract between CSR and the CDC. In its role as lead contractor, CSR,
along with its partners, the University of Washington School of Public Health and AVAR

Consulting, is responsible for overseeing all phases and aspects of the IUTI study—
including developing a sampling frame, recruiting study participants consistent with the
sampling frame, collecting survey and surveillance data from study participants,
analyzing the data and producing a final study report.
US Youth Soccer is the largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the
National Governing Body (“NGB”) for soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer is a
nationwide body of over 600,000 volunteers and administrators, and over 300,000
dedicated coaches, most of who also are volunteers. US Youth Soccer registers over
3,000,000 youth players between the ages of five and nineteen. US Youth Soccer is made
up of 55 member state associations; one in each state, and two in California, New York,
Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.
US Youth Soccer is non-profit and educational organization whose mission is to foster
the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America's youth through
the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition. Our job is also to make it fun, and
instill in young players a lifelong passion for the sport.

III. CSR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT
CSR shall undertake the following activities:
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Using random systematic sampling select sample of states representing states with
laws that have no requirements for athletes returning to play, states with laws that
require consent from a medically trained health provider, and states with laws that
require consent from a medically trained individual who also has training in
concussion management. Twenty-seven states were selected using this process.
Develop sampling frame to select study participants from the US Youth Soccer
coaches, players and parents.
Develop informational and recruitment materials to be used in recruiting soccer
coaches, 14-18 year old boys and girls soccer players, and parents from member
soccer clubs in US Youth Soccer. These materials will include descriptions of the
study, timelines, information on participation incentives, consent and assent (for
players under 18 years old) forms, and confidentiality agreements.
Using recruitment materials, present study using multiple modalities, including
live and on demand webinars, postings to a dedicated informational websites,
conference calls and information sessions, mailing materials and where possible
face to face presentations.
Randomly select a minimum of 112 soccer clubs teams serving 14 – 18 year old
boys and girls from clubs in the 27 states selected using random systematic
sampling. There will be a minimum of 56 boys’ teams and 56 girls’ teams. The
112 club teams should yield a minimum of 112 coaches, 616 boys and 616 girls,
and 1232 parents.
Administer a one-time, online, pre-season survey to all coaches, players and
parents agreeing to participate in the study. The online surveys should produce
responses from 112 coaches, 616 male players and 616 female players, and 1232

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parents. The actual survey will be administered by CSR’s partner on this study,
AVAR Consulting.
Administer a short weekly surveillance questionnaire on injuries during practice
games to all 1232 youth soccer players in the study and the 1232 parents. The
surveillance questionnaires will be administered by CSR using Integrated Voice
Recognition (IVR) technology. The IVR will require study participants to answer
a short series of questions using a telephone or cellphone touchpad.
Conduct telephone follow-ups with the player and parent of any player identified
as having possible concussion symptoms during the weekly surveillance
reporting. If a concussion is confirmed a medical doctor on the study team will
inform the player and parents.
Maintain secure confidential database of participant responses to the online and
weekly surveillance surveys.
Administer incentives to study participants.
Administer and provide incentives for US Youth Soccer to cover all costs
associated with its responsibilities under part IV as mutually agreed and specified.
US Youth Soccer incentive shall be $1000.00 for the term of this agreement and
payable upon execution of this Agreement.

IV. US Youth Soccer RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS Agreement
US Youth Soccer shall undertake the following activities:
 Provide its member clubs with a formal letter of support for the study and
introduction to CSR and its research team.
 Review study participant recruitment and information materials prior to using
them with US Youth Soccer members.
 When available participate in formal recruitment and information sessions
(primarily electronic webinars).
 Provide CSR access to US Youth Soccer database of club contacts by sending
information to the clubs on behalf of CSR.
 Review the draft analytical report and provide expertise as it relates to the
operations and activities of US Youth Soccer.

V.

IT IS MUTUALLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY AND
BETWEEN THE PARTIES THAT:
1. This Agreement can be modified by mutual agreement with a minimum of thirty (30)days prior notice. The request for modification must be in writing. Either party can
initiate a modification request.
2. Any such request shall be provided :
a. If to CSR
CSR, Incorporated
2107 Wilson Blvd, Arlington Virginia 22201
Suite 1000
Attention: John Foster-Bey, President/CEO

b. If to US Youth Soccer:
US Youth Soccer
9220 World Cup Way
Frisco, TX 75033
Attention: Executive Director
3. This Agreement can be terminated if either party fails to adhere to its responsibilities
under this Agreement. The party that is in compliance with the Agreement can initiate
termination procedures with a 30 day formal written notice that outlines the other party’s
failure to comply with this Agreement. After the formal request for termination is
received, the party out of compliance will have 30 calendar days to correct any noncompliance issues. If at the end of the 30 day period the noncompliance cannot be
resolved, this Agreement will be terminated. If the Agreement is terminated both parties
agree to take no additional actions.

VI.

EFFECTIVE DATE AND SIGNATURE
This Agreement shall be in effect upon the signature of CSR’s and US Youth Soccer’s
authorized officials below. It shall be in force from the date the Agreement is executed by
authorized representatives to January, 31 2015 unless otherwise extended by mutual
agreement.
The Parties indicate agreement with this Agreement by their signatures.
The following table shows the estimated schedule of activities during the period of this
agreement.

Project Timeline
Activity

Date*

Recruitment of
participants

July 2014–August 2014

Data Collection
Data Validation and
Analysis
Final Report

August 2014–January 2015
February 2015–June 2015
July 2015–August 2015

US Youth Soccer’s
Proposed Role
- Consult on best approach
for communicating with
respondents
- Share contact information
for selected clubs, if
available
None
None
- Review draft report and
provide expertise and
insights as it relates to the
operations and activities of
US Youth Soccer

Signaftres and.dates

Johnfo6t€r-B€y
PrcsidendCEO
CSR, kcoqporatcd

a.

b

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