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Nebraska Concussion Awareness Act

Concussion is one of the most common sports injuries among youths. Concussions may occur in any sport or activity, not just football and others known for physical contact. Concussion is synonymous with brain injury and can range anywhere from mild to severe.

On July 1, 2012, the Concussion Awareness Act became law. All public, private, and parochial schools, as well as all organized youth sports sponsored by villages, cities, businesses, or non-profit organizations for children ages 19 and under, are required to offer training regarding concussions to coaches.

Under the law, an athlete showing signs or symptoms of a concussion, thereby being “reasonably suspected” of having had a concussion, must be removed from participation and may not return until evaluated by a licensed health care professional.

The law passed by the Nebraska State Legislature has three requirements:

  • Education: All coaches, youth athletes, and their parent or guardian must be provided with education about the risks and symptoms of concussion and how to seek proper medical attention.
  • Removal from Play: Under any reasonable suspicion of concussion, coaches will remove youth athletes from play.
  • Return to Play: Youth athletes will not be allowed to return to play including games, scrimmages, and practices of any kind, until written approval from an appropriate licensed healthcare professional AND the youth's parent or guardian is obtained. The licensed healthcare professional may be a physician, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner nurse, athletic trainer, neuropsychologist, or any licensed healthcare worker in Nebraska who is specifically trained in pediatric traumatic brain injury.

What Parents Must Know About Concussions

  1. A concussion is a brain injury. A brain injury can end your child's life or cause a lifetime of disability. All concussions are serious.
  2. Concussions can result from motor vehicle crashes, falls, sports injuries, physical abuse and other cause. 
  3. Most youth with a concussion will recover quickly and fully. But for some, the signs and symptoms of concussion can last for days, weeks or longer.
  4. Because delayed onset of symptoms during the first 24 to 48 hours is possible in children, parents -- or another responsible adult -- should closely and periodically monitor the child during this time. See "Heads Up Parent Fact Sheet Below" for more information.
  5. If a young person has a concussion, his or her brain needs time to heal. Waking up your child during the night to check for signs of deteriorating mental status (traditional thinking) is no longer recommended. Sleep is restorative and your child should be allowed to sleep.

Review the resources below to learn more.


Other Resources for Parents of Girls

The resources below are a listing of helpful books and websites that address the issues that today's girls are facing. For more information about any of these organizations, please visit their website by clicking the link provided.

A Mighty Girl “A Mighty Girl is the world’s largest collection of books, toys, movies, and music for parents, teachers, and others dedicated to raising smart, confident, and courageous girls and, of course, for girls themselves! The site was founded on the belief that all children should have the opportunity to read books, play with toys, listen to music and watch movies that offer positive messages about girls and honor their diverse capabilities."

Black Girls RUN! Your daughter looks up to you and what better way to make her even more proud than to hit the pavement to run your first 5k with her at your local Girls on the Run end-of-season 5k. Not sure where to start? Your daughter isn't the only one that deserves an amazing support system, you do too! Join the Black Girls RUN! Movement!...a running organization dedicated to getting all women active and healthy. With 70 groups and more than 150,000 members nationwide, we'll help you train for your first 5K step-by-step.  To learn more about Black Girls RUN! or to find a group near you, visit www.blackgirlsrun.com.

Common Sense Media Common Sense is dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. To help kids keep their online interactions safe, productive, and positive, this site offers up-to-date research and guidance on social media basics. Learn about the latest apps and websites, and get tips on talking to your kids about sharing, posting and avoiding digital drama.

Making Caring Common Project Making Caring Common (MCC) helps educators, parents and communities raise children who are caring, respectful, and responsible toward others and their communities. MCC uses research and the expertise and insights of both practitioners and parents to develop effective strategies for promoting in children kindness and a commitment to the greater good, to influence the national conversation about raising and educating caring, ethical children, and to develop partnerships that elevate the MCC message.

National Eating Disorders Association The National Eating Disorders Association is dedicated to expanding public understanding of eating disorders and promoting access to quality treatment for those affected along with support for their families through education, advocacy and research.

PBS Parents Guide to Raising Girls “The PBS Parents Guide to Raising Girls" will help you understand your daughter's inner and outer worlds. You'll find out how to help her grow up powerful, self-confident, and self-aware — with a critical eye toward the messages the media is marketing to her.

Together Counts The Together Counts program is a nationwide program inspiring active and healthy living. Together Counts was started by The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a CEO–led organization, that is a national, multi-year effort designed to help reduce obesity, especially childhood obesity. The website features a blog and home-, school- and community-focused resources.