NYS law requires that students who sustained, or are suspected of having sustained, a concussion during Athletic Activities (interscholastic sports) are to be immediately removed from such activities. Such students may not return to athletic activities (interscholastic sports) until they have been symptom-free for a minimum of 24 hours and have been evaluated by and receive written and signed authorization to return to activities from a duly licensed physician.

Concussion FAQs 

NYSED Laws, Regulations, Guidelines, and Practice Memos Regarding Concussions

• Concussion Management and Awareness Law Section 136.5.
• Regulations of the Commissioner 135.1 Health and Physical Education (Links to NYSED regulation page).
• NYSED Guidelines for Concussion Management In Schools (Revised 6/2018)
  

NYSED Approved Concussion Training Courses (Must be completed every two years).

The webinars listed below are national training videos.  NYS  scope of practice may differ from what is described in the training. RNs, LPNs, and ATCs practicing in NYS must follow NYS laws in regards to licensing and scope of practice. Before starting the registration process for the Heads Up Concussion Training Course print these two CDC resources for reference:

• CDC Concussion Technical Requirements
• CDC Concussion FAQs 
• After registering for the Heads Up Concussion Course you will receive a confirmation email from DUIPinquiries@cdc.gov be sure to check your junk/spam folder for the confirmation email.

If you experience difficulties taking the training course or obtaining the certificate, please contact the CDC at DUIPinquiries@cdc.gov with your questions. if you are unable to complete the course after contacting the CDC and following their instructions, please contact the Center at nyscsh@monroe2boces.org

NYS School Nurses (All Levels) and Certified Athletic Trainers in Secondary Schools-NYSED has approved the free CDC course: Heads Up to Clinicians for these professions (45 minutes).

Coaches and PE Teachers -NYSED has approved the free CDC course Heads Up, Concussion in Youth Sports for both of these professions.

• Coaches may also meet the mandatory training requirement by taking the approved free CDC/NFHS course Concussion in Sports from the National Federation of State High School Associations - also available in Spanish (4/18)

Assessment Tools 

Baseline and post-injury concussion assessment tools such as the ACE (Acute Concussion Evaluation), ImPact, Scat 3, and FAQs on Baseline Testing (who can perform)

Resources for Return to School

• ACE (Acute Concussion Evaluation) Care Plan-This form is part of the "Heads Up: Brain Injury in Your Practice" tool-kit developed by the CDC. It provides a referral plan by the private provider containing information on current symptoms and recommendations for return to learn and return to play.
• Sample Acute Concussion Care Plan and Parent Information Sheet-This template can be customized for your needs. It includes a care plan and information sheet for parents and students. (NYSCSH12/2019).
• Sample School Recommendations Following Concussion- Customizable checklist that can be provided to the health care provider to allow them to indicate what RTP and RTL accommodations they recommend for the student. Adapted from the AAP with permission, (NYSCSH 12/2019)

Concussion Incident Tracking and Reporting Forms

• NYSCSH TBI Return Monitoring-Sample tracking tool schools may use to track student's symptoms for Return To Learn (RTL), Return To Play (RTP) (11/2017) 

Heads Up Concussion Resources-CDC

• Heads Up Resource Center-CDC:  Provides online, print, and video materials order forms, signs and symptoms checklist, Heads Up Head Injury Concussion Resources for physicians, coaches, school nurses, teachers, and counselors.
• Heads Up for School Sports: Assists coaches, parents, and athletes properly identify and respond to a concussion, CDC, in partnership with leading experts and organizations, developed the HEADS UP: Concussion in School Sports initiative and materials.
• Online Concussion Training Course for High School Sports Coaches
• NYSDOH Traumatic Brain Injury Resources - Provides resources on data and statistics, prevention, and symptoms. Includes wallet cards, posters, and links to services and organizations.

NYS Department of Health

On 12/2/19, Article 25 of the public health law was amended by adding a new Title VII entitled YOUTH SPORTS, Section 2595, tackle football programs to require information on concussions to be provided to all parents of children playing tackle football. This law is effective on 12/2/19.
A copy of the text is provided below. You access the law here.

Public Health § 2595. Football programs; information on concussions.
1. All tackle football programs in the state shall provide an informational packet about concussions and sub-concussive blows, and the injuries that might occur as a result of receiving such blows, to the parents or guardians of all children participating in such tackle football program. The informational packet shall be provided by the department and shall be available to be downloaded free of charge from the department's website. (Note: Department refers to the NYS Department of Health)
2. For the purposes of this section, "tackle football program" shall include any practice, game or other activity which involves engaging in tackle football and which is organized by a school, adult, or public or private league or other entity whose purpose is to allow children to participate in contact football.

NYSDOH Sports-Related Concussion Resources

Provides links to information on tackle football, "When in Doubt...Take Them Out!" sports-related concussion prevention campaign, and LEARNet, a resource developed by the Brain Injury Association of New York State, includes a problem-solving system designed to help identify useful procedures for helping students with brain injury in school and at home. (10/2019)

NYSPHSAA (NYS Public High School Athletic Association) Safety and Research Page

Provides information related to high school athletics, including a summary of the concussion law, sample policies, guidelines and procedures, student and parent information sheets, symptom checklists, and other concussion management support materials.

Professional Organizations

• American Association of Neurological Surgeons
• Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS)
• Brain Trauma Foundation-Provides research checklists, videos, and therapeutic interventions.
• NYSDOH - "When in Doubt-Take Them Out"-Concussion Prevention campaign provides free fact sheets, posters, magnets, and additional materials for school staff and parents.
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital- An Educator’s Guide to Concussions in the Classroom Upstate University Hospital-Concussion in the Classroom

Additional Resources

ESPN Video- Life Changed by Concussion

Page Updated 5/7/21