• Annual Accreditation – The following form is required for annual completion by all Local Programs, to ensure quality Special Olympics is offered consistently to those we serve. This form should be completed by the Local Program Coordinator.
• Local Program Resource Guide – Many Local Program organizational structures and models exist throughout our movement, requiring unique approaches and situations for Local Programs. It is not the goal of this guide to prescribe or promote a “one size fits all” approach to Local Program development and sustainability. Rather, this guide is offered so you have a greater understanding of successful Local Program operations and structures, and can apply these fundamentals to your Local Program as applicable and useful. This guide is a resource for Local Program leadership, providing information and tools to successfully offer quality Special Olympics programming in local communities. Local Program leadership is critical to the success of Special Olympics. The grassroots level is the foundation of our worldwide movement and the starting point for each athlete and constituent’s experience.
• Local Program Management Resource

It all starts with the Local Program Coordinator (LPC)! The LPC is the accredited representative responsible for leading Special Olympics Kansas activities within their community.

This role includes, but is not limited to:

• Recruiting enthusiastic community members to serve in leadership roles
• Attending educational training opportunities throughout the year
• Ensuring volunteers are properly trained and maintain certification status
• Connecting community resources to fund opportunities for local athletes
• Maintaining proper records and ensure that all paperwork is submitted in a timely manner
• Managing the fundraising efforts of the local program

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• Full Printable Athlete Enrollment Kit
• Athlete Registration Online Form
• Athlete Medical Form
• Annual Athlete Registration Renewal Form
• Special Olympics National CVS Sports Physical Voucher
• Special Olympics National Women’s Health Services Discount Voucher

• Class A Volunteer/Unified Partner Online Form (18+)
• Minor Class A Volunteer/Unified Partner Online Form (Under 18)
• Coach General Orientation
• Coach Protective Behaviors

Below are links to customizable templates that your local program can use. If you have any questions on how to use these please contact Ashley Pippin at pippina@soks.org.

• General Flyer
• Athlete Recruitment Flyer
• Coach Recruitment Flyer
• Volunteer Recruitment Flyer
• Get Involved Ad
• Event Sponsorship Brochure
• Certificate of Appreciation
• Social Media Templates

It is important for the success of SOKS, as well as the regional and local Special Olympics programs in Kansas, to be accountable for the income and expenditures required for our programs. The full financial accountability is required of SOKS, Regional Programs and Local Programs, except those programs identified in their Application for Local Registra¬tion as not involved in fundraising activities, in order to maintain our program’s accredited status with Special Olympics, Inc. Furthermore, this is in compliance with I.R.S. requirements.

• Centralized Accounting Policy
• Centralized Accounting Packet
• Sales Tax Exempt Certificate
• Amazon Account – SOKS has an established tax exempt business account with Amazon. If you would like to be added to this account please contact Chris Burt at burtc@soks.org. 
• Registration Fee Policy
• Fundraising and Revenue Share Policy
• Fundraising Registration Form
• Acceptable and Non-Acceptable Local Program Expenses

Special Olympics risk management involves a comprehensive process to ensure the safety of athletes, volunteers, and staff by identifying, assessing, and controlling risks, along with robust insurance coverage and clear emergency procedures. Key aspects include vetting staff and volunteers, verifying facility and equipment safety, proper athlete medical record review, having a plan for incidents like injuries or extreme weather, and reporting accidents to ensure fair resolutions and maintain the integrity of Special Olympics activities.

• SOKS Incident Report Form
• Crisis Communication Policy 
• Heat and Lightning Policy
• 2025 General Certificate of Insurance – This can be used unless a facility specifically requests to be listed as Additional Insured, in which case contact the SOKS staff.
• Protective Behaviors Training– is required of all volunteers who may come in close contact with athletes. The Protective Behaviors Training Program is training aimed at preventing sexual abuse against Special Olympics athletes, as well as, ensuring the athletes’ protection.
• Special Olympics Corporate Insurance Policy (SOCIP) Brochure – explains the overarching insurance policy provided to all U.S. programs by American Specialty, Inc. It does not include insurance coverage that SOKS has secured for basic business operations, but gives you a good summary of how things like incidents involving athletes, volunteers, events and rental vehicles are handled.
• Sport Safety and Risk Management for Coaches
• Outdoor Event Checklist
• Indoor Event Checklist
• Ethical Conduct Policy
• Drug, Alcohol & Tobacco Policy
• Volunteer Screening Policy
• Recreational Swimming Policy

• Athlete Policy – Special Olympics Kansas Athlete Participation, Eligibility, Code of Conduct, Disciplinary and Criminal History Policies
• Rules
• Training Resources
• Heat and Lightning Policy
• Coach to Athlete Ratio Policy
• Athlete Housing Policy
• Athlete Code of Conduct & Disciplinary Policy
• Divisioning Policy
• Additional resources and policies

Use of the Special Olympics Kansas logo on uniforms, other apparel, promotional materials and really anything needs to be approved by the Special Olympics Kansas state office. Please send requests for approval to pr@soks.org. 

• Local Program Visual Identity and Uniform Guidelines
• Special Olympics Kansas Marks
• Language Guidelines

The SOKS Medical Form may be current for up to four years. A Medical Form should be submitted to headquarters prior to athlete participation in training and must be submitted prior to SOKS hosted competitions (regional, state or other).

 Athlete Registration Form

• Required of new athletes and athletes that have been inactive for more than 3 years.
• Not required of current athletes.
• Completed once ever.

Medical Form

• Required of new and current athletes going forward.
• Completed based on the table above.

Athlete Registration Renewal Form (effective January 1, 2026)

• Required every year for returning athletes.
• Due prior to their first competition of the calendar year.

Central to the Special Olympics movement is the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The Torch Run began right here in Kansas! In 1981, Wichita Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw a need to raise funds for, and awareness of, Special Olympics Kansas. After three years of successful runs in Kansas, LaMunyon presented the program to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). With the IACP’s enthusiastic support and leadership, the Torch Run expanded into seven states by 1985, 43 states by 1986 and today includes all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Torch Run is not just a national event, though. In 1987, the program went international and today involves over 45 countries including Torch Runs in Canada, Europe, South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Rim. And, Kansas can be proud to proclaim that it all started here. We were “FIRST TO CARRY THE TORCH!”

At its most basic level, the Torch Run is an actual running event in which Law Enforcement Officers and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope™ to the Opening Ceremonies of their Special Olympics Games. The Kansas Torch Run currently involves 1100 runners covering over 1,500 miles of Kansas roadways. Communities along the Torch Run routes in each state or nation organize parades, award ceremonies and other special events to celebrate the Torch’s arrival. Every two years, Law Enforcement Torch Run representatives from each participating state and nation help carry the Special Olympics Torch to the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Games.

At its most fully developed, the Torch Run initiative encompasses a variety of fundraising vehicles in addition to the Torch Run itself. Participating officers and agencies raise funds through corporate sponsorships, “Tip-a-Cop” events, Polar Plunges, T-shirt sales, and many other fundraisers. Worldwide, more than 85,000 law enforcement officers participate in the Torch Run, raising more than $34 million annually.

The Kansas Torch Run has grown tremendously since its inception and raises over $500,000 annually for SOKS. The public awareness generated by the Torch Run is just as important as the money it raises. A grass roots event involving well-known public figures, the Torch Run creates deserved recognition of the abilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Law Enforcement Officers volunteer with Special Olympics in a variety of duties, including presenting medals to athletes at competitions.

All law enforcement agencies are represented in the Torch Run, including Police Chiefs, Police Officers, Secret Service and FBI agents, Military Police, Sheriffs, Sheriff Officers, Corrections Officers and State Troopers. The IACP endorses the Torch Run, as do numerous Federal, State, and City and County Law Enforcement agencies.

So, what was once an informal run in one community by officers who supported Special Olympics has grown into the largest grass roots fundraising effort for Special Olympics worldwide. And it all started with the dream of a man from Kansas. For more information about your local contacts, contact Jacob LaMunyon at lamunyonj@soks.org. 

• Effective Family Engagement – This is a resource for Special Olympics Program leaders who want to engage family members with close connections to the Program. Family engagement is more than attending events. It’s really about taking an active role in helping the development of athletes and the Program. 
• Family Engagement Flyer – A flyer that can be provided to current and new families about the importance of their involvement
• Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct