2431.4	PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SPORTS-RELATED
CONCUSSION AND HEAD INJURIES

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or motion to the head or body that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain and can cause significant and sustained neuropsychological impairments including, but not limited to, problem solving, memory, and behavioral problems.  In order to ensure safety, it is imperative that students participating in  athletic competition, coaches, and parents are educated about the nature and treatment of sports-related concussions and other head injuries.  Allowing a student to return to athletic competition before recovering from a concussion increases the chance of a more serious brain injury.  

This Policy and Regulation 2431.4 are consistent with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.1 et seq., the New Jersey Department of Education Model Policy and Guidance for Districts on the Prevention and Treatment of Sports-Related Head Injuries and Concussions, and the recommendations developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
For the purpose this Policy and Regulation 2431.4, “program of athletic competition” shall include any competition or practice in high school interscholastic athletic programs, middle school interscholastic athletic programs where school teams or squads play teams or squads from other school districts, intramural athletic programs within a school or among schools in the district, and any cheerleading program or activity in the school district. 
For the purpose of this Policy and Regulation 2431.4, “student-athlete” shall mean any student enrolled in a public or nonpublic school in New Jersey who is a participant in a program of athletic competition organized by the school district. 
The staff member supervising the program of athletic competition shall take steps to prevent concussions and head injuries; ensure student-athletes have appropriate supervision and safety equipment; and ensure student-athletes avoid unsafe conditions.
School staff members supervising programs of athletic competition; licensed athletic trainers; nurses; and school/team physicians shall be trained on the possible signs or symptoms of a concussion.  Any possible signs or symptoms of a concussion shall be reported by the student-athlete or an observer to the staff member supervising the program of athletic competition; athletic trainer; school/team physician; school nurse; and/or parent.
The district will adopt an Interscholastic Head Injury Training Program to be completed by the school/team physician, licensed athletic trainer, coaches, and other appropriate district personnel pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.2. 
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.4, a student-athlete who participates in a program of athletic competition and who sustains or is suspected of having sustained a concussion or other head injury while engaged in a program of athletic competition shall be immediately removed from the program of athletic competition by the staff member supervising the program or athletic competition.  A student-athlete who was removed from a program of athletic competition shall not participate in further programs of athletic competition until the student-athlete: is examined by a physician or other licensed healthcare provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions; receives written medical clearance from a physician trained in the evaluation and management of concussions to return to a program of athletic competition; and progresses through the steps outlined in the CDC’s Six-Step Return to Play Progression. The student-athlete’s written medical clearance shall be reviewed and approved by the school physician. 
School personnel shall contact the parent of a student-athlete to inform them of a suspected sports-related concussion or head injury as soon as possible after the incident.  School personnel shall provide the parent with a checklist or copy of the return to play protocols outlined in this Policy and Regulation 2431.4. 
The student-athlete may not begin the CDC’s Six-Step Return to Play Progression until the student-athlete receives a medical examination, provides the required written medical clearance, and the medical clearance is approved by the school physician. 
Some symptoms may require immediate medical treatment.  Emergency medical responders (911) shall be called if the student-athlete is experiencing a deterioration of symptoms; loss of consciousness; direct neck pain associated with the injury; or any other symptom that may require immediate medical treatment.
The district will provide temporary supports to a student-athlete that has sustained a concussion or other head injury. 
The Commissioner of Education and Commissioner of Health educational fact sheet that provides information concerning the use and misuse of opioid drugs in the event a student-athlete is prescribed an opioid for a sports-related injury shall be provided to the parents of student-athletes.  The district shall obtain a signed acknowledgement of receipt by the student-athlete and their parent in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.10.
The Board shall review this Policy and Regulation 2431.4 annually and update as necessary to ensure it reflects the most current information available on the prevention, risk, and treatment of sports-related concussions and head injuries pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.3. 
The district shall provide a copy of this Policy and Regulation 2431.4 to all youth sports team organizations that operate on school grounds.  In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.5, the district shall not be liable for the injury or death of a person due to the action or inaction of persons employed by, or under contract with, a youth sports team organization that operates on school grounds, if the youth sports team organization provides the school district proof of an insurance policy of an amount of not less than $50,000 per person, per occurrence insuring the youth sports team organization against liability for any bodily injury suffered by a person and a statement of compliance with this Policy and Regulation 2431.4. 
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.5 and for the purpose of this Policy, a “youth sports team organization” means one or more sports teams organized pursuant to a nonprofit or similar charter or which are member teams in a league organized by or affiliated with a county or municipal recreation department. 
New Jersey Department of Education Model Policy and Guidance for Districts   on the Prevention and Treatment of Sports-Related Head Injuries and Concussions – August 2023
N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.1; 18A:40-41.2; 18A:40-41.2a;
18A:40-41.3; 18A:40-41.3a; 18A:40-41.4;
18A:40-41.5

Date Adopted:	March 28, 2011
Date Revised:	November 21, 2011, November 19, 2012, March 21, 2022, April 30, 2024