National Concussion Awareness Day is on September 19

Delaware to Mark Observance with Focus on Youth Safety

The State Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) will join communities nationwide in observing National Concussion Awareness Day on Friday, September 19, 2025. This annual observance highlights the serious, life-changing impacts of concussions while promoting prevention efforts and emphasizing our shared responsibility to protect young athletes in the First State.

"Protecting our young athletes requires everyone's participation-coaches, officials, parents, and the athletes themselves," said John McNeal, SCPD Director. "National Concussion Awareness Day reminds us that sports safety is not just about rules and regulations, but about ensuring every child can participate in athletics safely and return home healthy."

Delaware's Leadership in Youth Athlete Protection

Delaware established itself as a national leader in youth sports safety when the Concussion Protection in Youth Athletic Activities Act (CYPAA) was enacted in 2017. This groundbreaking legislation significantly expanded safety protections by extending concussion protocols beyond traditional school sports to include local youth leagues, clubs, and other non-scholastic athletic organizations throughout the state.

The law serves three critical purposes under Delaware Code (16 Del. C. §3001L through 3009L).

1. Protect young athletes showing concussion symptoms during athletic activities
2. Increase recognition of concussion signs and symptoms through mandatory training and education
3. Establish clear return-to-play standards ensuring no child returns without proper medical clearance

Key Requirements for Youth Sports Organizations

All youth sports organizations operating outside school programs, whether public, for-profit, or nonprofit, must comply with these essential safety requirements:

Immediate Response Protocol:

• Any athlete under 18 suspected of sustaining a concussion must be immediately removed from participation
• Athletes cannot return to play on the same day of the suspected injury

Medical Clearance Process:

• Athletes removed due to suspected concussion may only return after evaluation by a licensed healthcare professional
• Written medical clearance is required before resuming participation

Communication Requirements:

• Coaches or officials must promptly notify parents or guardians about the incident
• Parents must be informed of medical clearance requirements

Annual Education:

• Youth athletes and parents must receive and sign an annual information sheet detailing concussion risks, symptoms, and recovery processes
• This requirement applies to all ongoing or recurring sports activities

Training Standards:

• All on-site coaches and officials must complete initial and periodic SCPD-prescribed concussion training
• Online training options are available for convenient compliance
• Visiting teams from outside Delaware are exempt from annual signature and training requirements

A Critical Public Health Issue

With an estimated 1.6 to 3.6 million sports-related concussions occurring annually across the United States, National Concussion Awareness Day serves as a vital reminder for Delaware communities, organizations, and families to remain vigilant. Concussions don't always involve loss of consciousness, making early recognition and appropriate medical care essential for preventing long-term complications.

Resources and Information

A wealth of information is available at the Brain Injury Resources and Traumatic Brain Injury Toolkit web pages. Delaware's Brain Injury Committee (BIC) operates under the State Council for Persons with Disabilities. For additional information about Delaware's concussion laws, safety resources, and compliance guidance, visit the State Council for Persons with Disabilities website or contact your local youth sports league. The State Council for Persons with Disabilities continues to work with sports organizations across Delaware to implement and maintain these life-saving protections for young athletes.

Contact: Director John McNeal Office: 302-739-3620 Email: [email protected]

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The State Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) is a division within the Delaware Department of Safety & Homeland Security. SCPD members work with other state, non-profit, for-profit, and community organizations to review federal and state policies, rules, regulations, and laws impacting Delawareans with disabilities. SCPD was established to promote better coordination of state services related to persons with disabilities and accomplishes its goals through a variety of committees and commissions.