Updated - March 1, 2017
 

Concussion Awareness Information

Additional Information Available
From the Center for Disease Control - Free materials available from the CDC regarding possible concussions, handbook now posted on Documents Page/Concussion Information Folder or go to: cdc.gov/concussion for more information
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) - This is a FREE course available from the NFHS, just use this address and create an account to take the free online course: nfhslearn.com.   Roll over the COURSES tab and look under the "Free Courses" listing for the one on concussion education

Parent/Player Signature Form and Release Form now on Documents Page in Concussion Information Folder (3-15-13)
 

Information and Procedures posted here for the 2012 - 2013 School/Athletic year.  Information was forwarded to all MAISL participating schools and will be discussed at each of the Coach's Meetings.

This was discussed at the August 8, 2012 MAISL/Area-3 Principal's Meeting and the August MAISL Board Meeting.  MAISL will provide this information to our participating schools (OCS for the Diocese of Madison talked about this at the 8-8-12 All Principal's Meeting held at the BOCC).  Schools will implement and comply with this state law and will be requested to provide MAISL with a release form when a child may return to league and/or tournament competition.  MAISL will not submit any forms or request any medical information from students but work with the schools to make sure our student athletes are safe.

Please read the letter below from from WIAA Deputy Director Labecki

The Wisconsin DPI has published the Sideline to Safety (concussion law) guidelines for youth athletic organizations.  With the publication of the guidelines, the law is now implemented.
 
Wisconsin Concussion Law Act 172 - Statute 118.293
Summary
The law requires all youth athletic organizations to educate coaches, athletes and parents on the risks of concussions and head injuries and prohibits participation in a youth activity until the athlete and parent or guardian has returned a signed agreement sheet indicating they have reviewed the concussion and head injury informational materials. The law requires immediate removal of an individual from a youth athletic activity if symptoms indicate a possible concussion has been sustained. A person who has been removed from a youth athletic activity because of a determined or suspected concussion or head injury, may not participate again until he or she is evaluated by a health care provider and receives written clearance from the health care provider to return to the activity.
 
“At the beginning of a season for a youth athletic activity, the person operating the youth athletic activity shall distribute a concussion and head injury information sheet to each person who will be coaching that youth athletic activity and to each person who wishes to participate in that youth athletic activity. No person may participate in a youth athletic activity unless the person returns the information sheet signed by the person and, if he or she is under the age of 19, by his or her parent or guardian.”
 
Full Text <http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/acts/172>

Further Information (please be advised that it seems these 3 WIAA & DPI links are no longer active - MAISL 3-1-17)
 

• Guidelines for Concussion and Head Injuries <http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/tbi-conc-guidelines.html>
• Concussion Resources <http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/tbi-conc-resources.html>

     In addition, member schools may find the WIAA concussion information on the WIAA web site   
     at:  http://www.wiaawi.org/index.php?id=430
 
We have provided a page of questions and answers as well on the WIAA web site.  As we receive questions, we will continue to update that page.  The law does not require or even reference school districts (or youth athletic activity organizers) need to complete baseline (ImPACT) testing. ImPACT is a tool which your physician or trainers may recommend, but it is not a requirement by the law.
 
While coaches education is a best practice and suggested additional training for coaches should be considered by the school administration. It is highly recommended and it is free at the CDC web site or at https://www.NFHSLearn.com.
 
We would urge you to provide the information to your community’s youth athletic organizations.  Please inform them that our information is available for FREE and they may use it to conform to the Sideline to Safety law.
 
This letter was prepared for WIAA distribution by:
Wade Labecki, Ed.D., Deputy Director
Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association
5516 Vern Holmes Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54482
(715) 344-8580 | www.wiaawi.org

 

A 2010-2011 "Point of Emphasis" for the WIAA and MAISL is the concern about potential chances for a student/athlete to sustain a concussion.