HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION NO 14 02 292STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF FULTON RESOLUTION NO. 14-02-292
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE CITY OF MILTON PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT YOUTH SPORTS CONCUSSION POLICY
WHEREAS, the well-being of youth athletes who participate in athletic competition at
the City of Milton Parks and Recreation facilities and in athletic competition away from City of
Milton Parks and Recreation facilities is of paramount concern to the City of Milton, Georgia
and the City of Milton Parks and Recreation Department; and
WHEREAS, the competitive athletic culture of playing through pain or "toughing it out"
may impermissibly place youth athletes at serious risk of injury. Indeed, allowing a youth
athlete to return to play before recovering from a concussion increases the chance of a more
serious brain injury, severe disability or even death; and
WHEREAS, the effects of concussion can be mitigated by prompt recognition and
appropriate response; and
WHEREAS, many youth athletes, parents and guardians, coaches, and others involved in
youth athletics may lack awareness about prevention, identification, and treatment of
concussions, as well as when it is most appropriate for the youth athlete to return to play; and
WHEREAS, adoption of a viable policy focused on concussion education, prevention,
and a uniform return-to-play policy is in the best interest of the youth athletes who participate in
athletic competition at, and away from, the City of Milton Parks and Recreation facilities, and of
their families and friends who care about their health and well-being; and
WHEREAS, the goals of this Youth Sports Concussion Policy are to ensure that youth
athletes who sustain concussions and head injuries are properly diagnosed, provided adequate
time to heal, and are comprehensively supported until they are symptom free and ready to return
to competition.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT SO RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the City of
Milton hereby approve the Department of Parks and Recreation Youth Sports Concussion Policy.
BE IT SO RESOLVED AND ORDAINED, this 3rd day of February, 2014, by the Council of
the City of Milton, Georgia.
Attest:
OJrtlztzkrz
Sudie AM Gordon, City Clerk
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M~rLTOGEORG'A'\t
ESTABLISHED 2006
YOUTH SPORTS CONCUSSION POLICY
I. DEFINITIONS
A concussion is a brain injury that is characterized by an onset of impairment of
cognitive and/or physical functioning, and is caused by a blow to the head, face or
neck, or a blow to the body that causes a sudden jarring of the head. A
concussion typically results in the rapid onset of short-lived impairment of
neurologic function that resolves spontaneously. A concussion may result in
neuropathological changes, but the acute clinical symptoms largely reflect a
functional disturbance rather than structural injury. A concussion can occur with
or without a loss of consciousness, and proper management is essential to the
immediate safety and long-term future of the injured individual.
An appropriate licensed health care provider means a licensed physician or
another licensed individual under the supervision of a licensed physician, such as
a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified athletic trainer who has
received training in concussion evaluation and management.
Return to play means to participate in a non-medically supervised practice or
athletic competition.
Youth athlete means a participant in a youth athletic activity who is seven years
or older and under 19 years of age
Cleared to participate means that the youth athlete has been symptom free for
48 hours, or more, and has been released to return to play by an appropriate
licensed healthcare provider as defined above. Such release to return to play
MUST be in writing.
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II. SIGNS / SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION
The common signs / symptoms of a concussion include, but are not limited to, the
following:
-Appears dazed or stunned; -Confusion about an assignment / position;
-Headache or pressure in head; -Is unsure of games, score or opponent;
-Nausea or vomiting; -Balance problems or dizziness;
-Double or blurry vision; -Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy;
-Sensitivity to light; -Concentration or memory problems;
-Sensitivity to noise; -Answers questions slowly;
-Forgets an instruction; -Moves clumsily;
-Loss of consciousness; -Mood, behavior, personality changes; and
-Loss of memory; -Inability to recall events before/after injury.
III. MANDATED COURSE OF ACTION
The following mandated course of action shall apply to all sports competitions and sports
related activities occurring at the City of Milton Parks and Recreation facilities:
1. If a youth athlete experiences or exhibits any of the above signs / symptoms of a
concussion following an injury, contact event, or blow to the head, face, neck or a
blow to the body that causes a sudden jarring of the head, he or she shall be
immediately removed from the athletic event, game, practice or contest and shall not
return to play until he or she is cleared to participate by an appropriate licensed health
care professional. (WHEN IN DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT!)
2. The youth athlete's parent or guardian shall be notified that:
(a) He or she experienced an injury, contact event, or blow to the head, face, neck
or a blow to the body that causes a sudden jarring of the head, and/or that he
or she exhibited one or more signs / symptoms of a concussion;
(b) That he or she was immediately removed from the athletic event, game,
practice or contest; and
(c) That he or she may not return to play until he or she is cleared to participate
by an appropriate licensed health care professional. (See Paragraph 4.)
3. Any youth athlete suspected of having a concussion should be evaluated by an
appropriate licensed health care professional within 24 hours of the injury, contact
event, or blow to the head, face, neck or a blow to the body that causes a sudden
jarring of the head.
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4. No youth athlete shall be pennitted to return to play until he or she has not exhibited
the signs / symptoms of a concussion for 48 hours, or more, and is medically cleared
to participate by an appropriate licensed health care professional. The coach must
receive written permission from an appropriate licensed health care professional
before the youth athlete may return to play.
IV. MANDATED TRAINING FOR ALL COACHES
All coaches (head and assistant) must be knowledgeable regarding the signs / symptoms
of a concussion, appropriate strategies to reduce the risk of concussions, how to seek proper
medical treatment for a youth athlete suspected of having a concussion, and when the athlete
may safely return to play.
Accordingly, all coaches (head and assistant) responsible for a youth athletic sports team
that is utilizing the City of Milton Parks and Recreation facilities are required to complete The
Center for Disease Control's Heads Up-Concussion in Youth Sports video training course in
advance of their participation in youth athletic coaching, practice events, or game events at City
of Milton Parks and Recreation facilities.
Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports is a free, online course available to coaches,
parents, and others helping to keep athletes safe from concussion. It features interviews with
leading experts, dynamic graphics and interactive exercises, and compelling storytelling to help
one recognize a concussion and know how to respond if an athlete is believed to have suffered a
concussion. (Parents and guardians of youth athletes are also urged to visit The Center for
Disease Control's website and view the video training.)
The link to the online course offered by the CDC can be found on the City of Milton
website under the Parks, Recreation and Special Events section.
Upon completion of this online training session, all coaches shall print out the completion
certificate evidencing same, and provide the certificate to the City of Milton Parks and
Recreation Department Director or his/her designee.
As a further resource, it is also strongly recommended that coaches participate in the free,
online course on concussion management entitled Concussion in Sports prepared by the National
Federation of State High School Associations (NFSH), which can be found at
www.nfhslearn.com.
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V. ROLE OF COACHING STAFF / GAME OFFICIALS / COMPLIANCE
1. Coaches:
Coaches (head and assistant) and their staff will NOT be expected to "diagnose" a
concussion, as that is the job of an appropriate licensed health care professional.
Coaches/Coaching Staffs shall use their best judgment in observing the signs /
symptoms of a concussion, and in taking the action mandated by this Policy in the
event that a youth athlete experiences or exhibits any of the signs / symptoms of a
concussion following an injury, contact event, or blow to the head, face, neck or
body.
2. Game Officials:
Games Officials will NOT be expected to "diagnose" a concussion, as that is the job
of an appropriate licensed health care professional. Games Officials shall use their
best judgment in observing the signs / symptoms of a concussion in the event that a
youth athlete experiences or exhibits any of the signs / symptoms of a concussion
following an injury, contact event, or blow to the head, face, neck or body. If a Game
Official observes questionable signs, symptoms, or behavior that is consistent with a
concussion, the Game Official shall notify the head coach (or an assistant coach if the
head coach is not available) and remove the participant from the games for further
evaluation.
A Game Official is not responsible for the sideline evaluation or management of the
youth athlete after he or she is removed from play. The responsibility of further
evaluation and management of the suspected symptomatic youth athlete falls upon the
coach (head and/or assistant), and/or an appropriate licensed health care professional.
3. Compliance:
Any coach (head or assistant) that disregards the safety and well-being of a youth
athlete as it relates to this Youth Sports Concussion Policy will be immediately
suspended from coaching youth athletics and events at all City of Milton Parks and
Recreation facilities.
Additionally, any coach (head or assistant) that misuses this policy to prohibit an
otherwise healthy, fit, uninjured player from participating in a youth athletic sporting
event, practice or competition will be immediately suspended from coaching youth
athletics and events at all City of Milton Parks and Recreation facilities.
This concussion policy shall be in effect for all youth sports activities run, sponsored
or sanctioned by the City, to include events and programming at both City owned or
operated facilities and at non-City facilities.
4. Acknowledgement:
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All coaches (head and assistant) shall be required to sign an Acknowledgement
confirming receipt and their understanding of this Youth Sports Concussion Policy.
5. Issuance of Informational Material:
All Youth Athletic Associations shall be required to issue informational material to
the parents and/or guardians of all youth athletes who will be participating in youth
athletics, practices and/or sporting events at a City of Milton Parks and Recreation
facility at the time of registration or at the first team meeting.
6. Parent/Guardian Execution of Acknowledgement of Youth Sports Concussion
Policy:
All parents or guardians of youth athletes participating in Youth Athletic Association
sponsored events, practices and/or sporting competitions shall be required to execute
an acknowledgement of their review and understanding of this Youth Sports
Concussion Policy.
7. Placement of Youth Sports Concussion Policy on city Website:
This Youth Sports Concussion Policy be posted on the city website and requires all
Youth Athletic Associations utilizing the City of Milton Parks and Recreation
facilities to link to this Policy.
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