District 15 Develops Protocol for State's New Concussion Law

The following information comes from a Community Consolidated School District 15 press release.

Earlier this month, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the Youth Sport Concussion Safety Act into law. The legislation focuses primarily on concussion management at the junior high and high school levels.

In response to this new legislation, District 15 is forming a concussion oversight team that will develop “return-to-play” and “return-to-learn” protocols for students believed to have experienced a concussion. The concussion oversight team will be comprised of a variety of healthcare professionals, including a physician and a school nurse.

A district administrator and select members of the District’s Health Services and physical education staff will be part of the team. The protocols they will develop will be based on peer-reviewed scientific evidence consistent with guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The team will also develop an emergency action plan for interscholastic athletic activities to address serious injuries or acute medical conditions in which the condition of a student may deteriorate rapidly.

Prior to the new concussion safety act being passed, District 15 offered student athletes and their parents information regarding concussions, and provides designated individuals—including coaches and physical education teachers—training that addresses the evaluation, prevention, symptoms, risks, and long-term effects of concussions.

For more information on the Youth Sport Concussion Safety Act, visit the concussion protocol section of the Illinois Elementary School Association website.