Arkansas and Mississippi Recreation and Park Associations Partner with Ankored to Protect Kids in Their Programs
Four states now partner with Ankored. Each gives parks and rec departments one place to run background checks, abuse
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Four states now partner with Ankored. Each gives parks and rec departments one place to run background checks, abuse prevention training and coach compliance.
BOSTON, MA, UNITED STATES, November 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Ankored, the youth sports athlete safety and compliance platform, today announced partnerships with the Arkansas Recreation & Parks Association (ARPA) and the Mississippi Recreation and Park Association (MRPA). Member agencies in both states can now run background checks, safety training and coach requirements in one place, at partner pricing.
Parks and recreation reaches more than 50 million kids each year, according to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Most directors run those programs with a few staff, a seasonal wave of volunteer coaches and spreadsheets.
“State associations know their communities, budgets and state laws best,” said Matt Stone, Director of Partnerships at Ankored. “Our state partnerships are designed to protect kids and municipalities — they are two sides of the same coin. Four states have made that commitment, and many more are working toward it.”
Arkansas and Mississippi join Utah and Massachusetts. Over a dozen Utah Recreation and Parks Association (URPA) member agencies now run their programs on Ankored, including Pleasant Grove, South Jordan and Cottonwood Heights. Together they have cleared nearly 1,000 coaches, staff and volunteers. The Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association (Mass RPA) followed with a package built around CORI and SORI authorizations alongside other state requirements.
“We appreciate Ankored’s proactive approach to understanding Utah’s new legislative requirements and, more importantly, the challenges those requirements create for our parks and recreation professionals,” said LeeAnn Powell, Executive Director of URPA. “Rather than simply offering a product, Ankored took the time to understand the needs of our members and developed a partnership program designed to help agencies navigate these new responsibilities. With this kind of thoughtful collaboration, we were excited to jump on this opportunity!”
Arkansas builds its package around the Arkansas Coach Safely Act. ARPA members get training that meets the requirement at a bundled cost.
“Our parks and recreation professionals already have a lot on their plates, and meeting the requirements of the Coach Safely Act adds another layer of responsibility,” said Jacob Nilz, Executive Director of ARPA. “Our partnership with Ankored makes that process easier for our members. By bringing compliance requirements into one platform, we’re helping agencies save time and money so that they can focus more of their energy on serving communities.”
Mississippi is moving without a mandate. The state currently has no law requiring background checks or safety training for youth sports coaches. MRPA set a statewide standard anyway, priced for every city and county department. It sets the tone for youth safety across the South.
“MRPA’s board members aren’t waiting for a law,” said Dr. Kim Beason, Interim Executive Director of MRPA. “This partnership gives every MRPA agency an affordable system to help screen, train and document the people working with our kids.”
Every partnership serves one goal: make sure every adult, coach and volunteer has done everything required before they step onto the field. Ankored puts it all in one place for the directors who run those programs.
Executive directors who want a package for their members can contact Matt Stone at mstone@ankored.com or visit ankored.com/become-a-partner.
About Ankored
Ankored is the youth sports compliance platform for clubs, leagues and parks and recreation departments. Directors use Ankored to run background checks, abuse prevention training, certifications and forms for every adult in their programs, and to prove who is cleared. Less Paper. More Play. Learn more at ankored.com.
Amber Stevens
Ankored, Inc
apicotte@ankored.com
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