In light of the recently passed Pennsylvania legislation, establishing standards for managing concussions and traumatic brain injuries to student athletes (Act of Nov. 9, 2011, P.L. 411, No. 101) the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, Inc. (BIAPA) has developed a Model Policy and Guidance for Pennsylvania Schools for Sports-Related Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.  This document is designed to provide guidance to Pennsylvania school boards of education in the development, establishment, and implementation of policies, protocols and programs for the prevention, detection, and treatment of Sports Related Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). 

In preparing the document, BIAPA received input from the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers Society, The Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The process utilizes a program called BrainSTEPS, which is unique to Pennsylvania.  This program, developed by BIAPA through funding from the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Education, offers school districts trained assistance in dealing with the unique challenges that a concussed athlete may offer when returning to both play and studies.  It has been recognized nationally as a model program for returning students who have suffered a brain injury to the classroom.

The document serves as a framework that Pennsylvania schools can use to develop policies and procedures for the safe return of student/athletes not only to the field of competition, but to the classroom. 

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