Preparing to Launch
It’s been months in the making and we’re FINALLY preparing to launch the updated programs of Youth Protection Advocates in Dance!
As many of you know, YPAD originated as the heartsong of Leslie Scott Zanovitch, its founder and long-time champion—and someone I now consider a forever friend. 🙂
Leslie created YPAD to uphold a high standard of health and safety in dance. It was an answer to the industry-wide question, “How can we serve dance students in the best, healthiest way possible?”
When More Than Just Great Dancing® acquired YPAD earlier this year, it was our goal to expand on Leslie’s mission, staying true to her legacy and opening up the YPAD education and certification to more studio owners and teachers. And now here we are!
Here is more information about the educational coursework at the core of the YPAD experience. YPAD currently has two course offerings:
#1: The YPAD SAFETY Course (which leads to Course Completion) covers the following topics:
- Best Practices for Dance Studios
- Abuse Awareness and Prevention
- Injury Prevention and Response
- Risk Management in the Dance Environment
Each of these four points represents an area of learning that we believe every studio needs to maximize student safety. It is my belief that a YPAD safety education will benefit every level of the industry, from the studio itself and its teachers, to our students and their parents. At MTJGD, we have gone ALL-IN on encouraging the industry to self-regulate and teach within the bounds of what’s healthy and safe for kids.
#2: The YPAD SAFETY & WELLNESS Course (which leads to YPAD Certification) covers the following topics in addition to the safety education:
- Social Media, Media Safety & Today’s Dance Culture
- Developmentally Appropriate Artistry
- Body Image, Nutrition & Disordered Eating
- Bullying & Conflict Resolution
What’s EXTRA cool about the work we’ve been doing behind the scenes is that YPAD’s educational courses are also all DIGITAL! Backed by evidence-based research, every lesson includes text and video components to optimize learning. Of course there are a few things that can’t be done 100% digitally (like CPR training) but it’s pretty cool for each participant to be able to learn online at their own pace.
Ultimately I believe that we can serve the dance industry with the YPAD mission and leave it stronger than ever for the next generation. I hope that through YPAD, more individuals will feel empowered with the tools and resources to serve their dance students with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity.
If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know that I am a champion for studio owners and teachers. I also want my legacy to be that of being champion for needed change in the dance world—making it safer and healthier for kids to be involved in this art we love so much.
Will YOU be a champion of change with me?
I hope you’ll say YES and visit us at ypadnow.com 🙂
Love, Misty