NJCAA and U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health Announce Partnership to Advance Student-Athlete Health, Safety, and Well-Being Through Accreditation Initiative
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), in partnership with the U.S. Council for Athletes' Health (USCAH), is proud to highlight a first-of-its-kind accreditation initiative designed to strengthen and validate standards of excellence in student-athlete health, safety, well-being, and performance across collegiate athletics.
USCAH's Accreditation Program provides colleges, universities, national governing bodies, and athletics organizations with an independent and comprehensive framework to safeguard athletes while demonstrating a visible commitment to best practices and industry standards. The initiative reflects evidence- and consensus-based standards endorsed by leading sports medicine organizations, scientific academies, and sport governing bodies.
"Student-athlete health and safety remain among the NJCAA's highest priorities," said Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President and CEO. "Through this partnership with USCAH, we are reinforcing our commitment to providing member colleges with meaningful resources, standards, and guidance that enhance the overall student-athlete experience."
As the trusted athlete health, safety, and well-being partner of the NJCAA, USCAH is working alongside the association to support member institutions in advancing policies, procedures, and education that place student-athlete welfare at the center of the athletics experience. The accreditation program encompasses six core areas: governance and leadership; athlete health, medical, and performance services; education and training; compliance and risk management; athlete well-being; and data and continuous improvement.
USCAH's accreditation process includes an initial application and eligibility assessment, NJCAA-recommended education for coaches, staff, and student-athletes, a self-study and internal evaluation, external peer review, accreditation review, final accreditation decisions, and post-accreditation monitoring.
The review process evaluates key areas of institutional health, safety, and performance support services, including cardiovascular care, independent medical care, prevention of catastrophic injury and death, concussion safety, and mental health.
"Our collaboration with the NJCAA marks a significant step forward in advancing the health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes across two-year colleges. Through the USCAH Accreditation Program, we are providing NJCAA member institutions with an independent, evidence-based framework to strengthen medical care, education, and athlete support systems," said James Borchers, President and CEO of USCAH. "Together, we are reinforcing a shared commitment to best practices and ensuring that student-athletes have the resources and protections they need to thrive."
Through this collaboration, NJCAA member institutions will have access to a structured pathway for assessing and enhancing their health and safety systems while underscoring their dedication to continuous improvement and institutional accountability.
To learn more about the accreditiation program click here.
For interested members, USCAH and the NJCAA will be co-hosting a webinar to discuss the accreditation program on Tuesday, April 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET. To register, please click here.
About USCAH
The U.S. Council for Athletes' Health (USCAH) was founded upon the need within athletic institutions for trusted, independent partners with the experience and expertise to advise and consult with organizations regarding their healthcare delivery system. That is why USCAH is committed to providing independent and unbiased medical expertise to organizations and individuals dedicated to the optimal health and safety for the athletes they serve.
About NJCAA
Since 1938, the NJCAA has served as the premier governing body for two-year collegiate athletics, providing student-athletes with opportunities to prepare, compete, succeed, and achieve in both their academic and athletic disciplines. The NJCAA is the second-largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States, with over 500 member schools and 3,400 teams competing in 28 different sports. Each year, the NJCAA sponsors 57 national championships and invitationals.
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