Concussion Management

II. Definitions

1. Athletic Trainer: An athletic trainer licensed by the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act.
2. Athletic Program Administrator: For the purpose of this policy, an Athletic Administrator is the person assigned/delegated to specifically manage athletic programming at the school. This is typically the athletic director (high school) or sports liaison (elementary school), but can include individuals with other titles such as Athletic Compliance Manager or Athletic Coordinator.
3. Coach: Any volunteer or employee who is responsible for organizing and supervising players and teaching them or training them in the fundamental skills of extracurricular athletics. Coach refers to both head coaches and assistant coaches.
4. Concussion: A complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain caused by a traumatic physical force or impact to the head or the body, which may include temporary or prolonged altered brain function resulting in physical, cognitive, or emotional symptoms or altered sleep patterns, and which may or may not involve a loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of a concussion may include the following:
   

   Signs:

   • Appears dazed or stunned
   • Appears confused
   • Memory Loss - Examples include:
     
     • Forgets sports plays
     • Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall
     • Can’t recall events after hit or fall
     • Is unsure of game, score, opponent
     • Forgets class schedules or assignments
   • Moves clumsily
   • Answers questions slowly
   • Loses consciousness (even briefly)
   • Shows behavior or personality changes
   • Repeats questions

   Symptoms:

   Emotional Symptoms

   • Irritable
   • Sad
   • Nervous

   Physical Symptoms

   • Headache or “pressure in head”
   • Poor balance or dizziness
   • Vision changes
   • Light or sound sensitivity
   • Numbness or Tingling, does not “feel right”
   • Neck Pain
   • Nausea or vomiting

   Cognitive Symptoms

   • Difficulty thinking clearly
   • Impaired concentration or memory
   • Feeling more slowed down than usual
   • Foggy, groggy, hazy or confused

   Sleep Symptoms

   • Fatigued or feeling tired
   • Change in sleep patterns
   • Trouble falling asleep
5. CPS Concussion Guidelines: An outline for best practices regarding supporting students returning to school and returning to physical activity, as well as steps schools can take to try to reduce concussion risks in their school
6. Concussion Supervisor: A non-coach full-time school employee appointed by each school principal to monitor compliance with state law and this policy
7. District Level Concussion Oversight Team: A team of both CPS employees and community partners that provides guidance on best practices for concussion protocols. This committee will meet at a minimum of annually to review current CPS concussion guidance and protocols.
8. Interscholastic Athletic Activity: Any organized school-sponsored or school-sanctioned activity for students, generally outside of school instructional hours, under the direction of a coach, athletic director, or band leader.
9. Licensed Health Care Professional: Physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches in Illinois (M.D. or D.O.), Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), Physician’s Assistant (PA), or Clinically Licensed Psychologist who specializes in the practice of Neuropsychology
10. Play: For the purpose of this policy, play is defined as exerted physical activity outside of normal physical activity, for example: the physical part of physical education, recess, and sporting events.
11. Return to Learn: The steps and procedures required for a CPS student to safely return to the academic environment, including the educational component of physical education, pursuant to the recommendation of a Licensed Health Care Professional
12. Return to Play: The steps and procedures required for a CPS student athlete to safely return to “play” as defined in Section II.I.

III. Concussion Oversight

1. District Level Concussion Oversight Team
   
   The responsibilities of the District Level Concussion Oversight Team include:
   
   • Reviewing and updating the CPS Concussion Guidelines as appropriate;
   • Reviewing the guidelines for school-specific emergency procedures for school-specific medical procedures at Athletic Events.
   • Reviewing this policy to ensure it reflects the most up-to-date and evidence-based procedures regarding the return to play protocols and return to learn protocols; and
   • Ensuring that annual communication is sent out to the greater school district, staff, parents, and students about the IHSA CPR training video.
   Membership of the District Level Concussion Oversight Team shall include, whenever possible:
   • External or Internal Consulting Physician;
   • Chief Health Officer or designee;
   • An Athletic Trainer;
   • Executive Director of the Office of Sports Administration or designee;
   • A representative from the Office of School Safety and Security; and
   • A representative from the Facilities Department.
2. School Level Concussion Supervisor
   
   The responsibilities of the School Level Concussion Supervisor include:
   
   • Ensuring that the Suspected Concussion Removal Protocol as outlined in Section IV. A is followed;
   • Ensuring that Return to Learn Protocols, as outlined in Section IV.B of this policy is followed;
   • Ensuring that the Return to Play as outlined in Section IV.C of this policy is followed;
   • Ensuring the venue-specific action plan for athletic activities is posted, disseminated, and followed if the school hosts interscholastic activities; and
   • Providing vendors and volunteers information on the Concussion Management Policy, Protocols, and Guidelines.
3. Coaches
   
   When there is a head coach assigned to a team, the responsibilities listed below fall to the head coach for all student athletes that participate in their team.
   
   • Ensuring each student athlete and their parent/guardian/individual who is legally able to make medical decisions for the student has signed the IHSA form, found in the student athlete packet, acknowledging that both individuals received and read written information on:
     (1) Concussion Prevention
     (2) Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion
     (3) Treatment of a Concussion
     (4) CPS Concussion Guidelines
   • Ensuring that all High School student athletes on their team watch the IHSA student-specific concussion video each year.

V. Concussion Awareness Training

1. All those who sit on the District Concussion Oversight Committee must complete an approved concussion training once every two years. Approval of the Concussion Training shall come from the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation.
   
   • Proof of completion of training must be recorded and received by the Chief Executive Officer or their designee.
2. High School Athletic Directors and Coaches
   
   • Once every 2 years, all high school athletic directors and coaches must complete an approved IHSA concussion awareness training before the start of their sport’s season.
   • Proof of completion of training must be recorded and received by the Chief Executive Officer or their designee.
3. Elementary and Middle School Coaches
   
   • Once every 2 years, all elementary and middle school coaches must complete a concussion awareness training, provided either through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Federation of High Schools, before the start of their sport’s season.
   • Proof of completion of training must be recorded and received by the Chief Executive Officer or their designee.

VI. Guidelines

The Chief Executive Officer or designee is authorized to issue Guidelines for the effective implementation of the requirements of this Policy.

VII. Compliance

Failure to comply with this Policy may subject employees to discipline up to and including dismissal.