The University of Delaware hosted the Second Delaware Youth Concussion Summit on Nov. 20.

Brainchild

Training, policy, and education discussed at youth concussion summit

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8:22 a.m., Dec. 2, 2014--When in doubt, sit it out.

Three years ago, Delaware became the 29th state to formalize this approach to treatment and management of concussion when Senate Bill 111 was signed into law by Gov. Jack Markell.

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The law was the first step in an ongoing process of education, training, data collection and policy-making to ensure that coaches, officials, players and parents work together to protect young athletes from the long-term effects of blows to the head.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, close to 50 representative from the state’s medical community, advocacy groups, the Delaware Athletic Trainers’ Association, school nurses, state politicians and educators continued that process when they convened at the University of Delaware for the Second Delaware Youth Concussion Summit. 

The all-day meeting, held at the Health Sciences Complex on the University’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus, was organized by the State Council for Persons with Disabilities Brain Injury Committee, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, and the Brain Injury Association of Delaware.

“Being able to host the event at the new STAR Campus — and showcase our facility and highlight the concussion research we’re doing here — was fantastic,” said Tom Kaminski, professor and director of UD’s Athletic Training Education Program. “We’re especially grateful for the support from the College of Health Sciences and Dean Kathy Matt.”

The first summit, held in May 2013, resulted in three action items: establishment of a uniform documentation protocol between the medical community and the schools; development of a training program for health care providers focused on the diagnosis and management of concussions; and establishment of a Youth Sports Advisory Council to address education and regulation of community, recreational and travel sports programs.

“Today’s program was valuable in moving the state forward in addressing this important issue,” said Matt Robinson, director of the Sport Management Program in the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at UD and chairman of the Delaware Sports Commission.  

“While it appears protocols are in place at the higher levels of sport participation in the state, there is still a need to promote best practices in the youth sport environment. I hope today’s program is a first step in ensuring that all athletes at every level will be impacted by the best practices being implemented.”

Article by Diane Kukich

Photos by Evan Krape

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