The good news is that Frederick County Special Olympics has now grown to over 150 athletes. All of us involved with SOMD are excited to see more and more of our athletes being given the opportunity to compete athletically and make new friends. But with this growth, comes an overload of paperwork for our coaches. So effective immediately, we will be following a new procedure for medical forms.

In order for your athlete to participate in Special Olympics activities, INCLUDING PRACTICES, the following procedure must be followed:

1. At the first meeting/practice for a particular sport, appropriate forms will be distributed to all athletes/parents/guardians.
2. You will have 2 weeks to get the appropriate medical forms turned in to the coach. Anyone who does NOT turn in their completed medical forms by the 3rd practice will NOT be allowed to participate in practices or competitions until the forms are indeed turned in.
   
   • To the right are links to a blank medical form along with a blank update form. These forms can be printed for your use.
   • The Medical Form requires a doctor’s signature and is good for 3 years from the date of the doctor’s signature.
   • The Update form does not require a doctor’s signature, but must be completed every 12 months during the 3 years that the medical form is in force.
3. Our Medical Librarian will keep a copy of all current medical forms and update forms on disk. Our Medical Librarian will send all Originals to the Special Olympics Maryland office.
   
   • If you believe your athlete’s forms are up to date, call 301-865-1961 or E-mail Jennifer Weber to confirm that the appropriate paperwork is in place.
     • If the forms on file are up to date, the Medical Librarian will print a copy of the forms and give them to the appropriate coach. You, as the parent/guardian, are done.
       
     • If the forms on file are NOT up to date, you must complete the appropriate forms with all of the required signatures and return the ORIGINALS into the Coach no later than the 3rd practice. The Coach will make a copy for his/her files and turn the originals over to the Medical Librarian, who will scan the forms onto computer disk then send the originals into the Special Olympics Maryland office.
       
     • Please note: Since these forms are indeed scanned, please be sure to use a DARK PEN when completing them. Pencil or colored pens do NOT scan well. Also, be sure you are using the current forms which are on separate pages rather than 2 sided forms.
       
   • TIP TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS: If you have a medical visit coming up soon, print out the blank forms now and take them with you to the doctor's office. Then make multiple copies of the forms - one for each sport your athlete participates in. Then you will be all set to turn in the proper forms when the next season starts! But don't forget, the ORIGINAL signed form must be turned in so that it can be forwarded to the State Office. Coaches carry a photo copy of the medicals with them to all practices and events.
     
   • IN NO EVENT CAN ATHLETES BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN A SPORT UNLESS THESE PROCEDURES ARE FOLLOWED. Please DO NOT ask the coach to make exceptions – it is not in their power to change these rules. These rules are mandatory for the safety of all involved and must be followed by all who wish to participate in Special Olympics of Frederick County.
     
     Special Olympics Frederick Management Team