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Home»Brain Injury Services Program»Concussion Related Information and Documents

Concussion Related Information and Documents

Posters

Use Your Head. Protect Their Brains. PDF 

Concussion Signs and Symptoms

Infographic

What is a Concussion? PDF  Concussion in Young Athletes infographic

Awareness Messages

Below are concussion awareness messages for download and sharing.  All messages feature the Put Brains Before Games campaign tagline and images. Click on the topic you which to view.

Concussion Management Resources

In April 2018, Iowa's concussion law was updated.  While the REAP Concussion Manual and the Concussion Guidelines for Iowa Schools need to be updated to reflect the new requirements of the law, the guidance provided in these resources is evidence based and continue to be relevant. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the Iowa Department of Education are continuing to partner to bring information and tools to schools to support them as they implement concussion management protocols for return-to-learn and return-to-play.

Additional content is available and organized on this site by the audience, or "team", that is most likely to use that information. Regardless of your role, you may be interested in content found on one of the "team" pages.  To access that information, select the topic area below or by clicking the tab on the left side of this page:

  • Academic Team (individuals at the school who will watch, monitor, and track the academic and emotional effects of concussion)
  • Physical Team (individuals at the school, or other settings, who will watch, monitor, and track the physical symptoms of the concussion)
  • Student/Family Team (individuals who support the student at home or may support the student as a primary advocate)
  • Medical Team (healthcare providers who will diagnose concussion, assess for complications, and consult with the school and home teams througout the return-to-learn and return-to-play process)

Teacher's Acute Concussion Tool (TACT)

The Iowa Departments of Health and Human Services and the Iowa Department of Education have partnered together, in collaboration with Get Schools on Concussions, the Iowa Concussion Coalition and the Advisory Council on Brain Injuries, to make a statewide subscription to the Teacher's Acute Concussion Tool (TACT) available to all Iowa schools.  TACT is a "just in time" concussion management resource for educators at all levels.  Included in the 2021-2022 subscription is access to tip sheets, informational videos, and sample concussion return-to-learn plans.  Learn more about TACT at https://www.getschooledonconcussions.com/.

NEW! Use the TACT as a professional development opportunity with your educators! We have worked with the developers of TACT to create a 20 minute video and facilitator guide. This professional development activity designed to provide educators with information and resources  for developing classroom and academic adjustments to use with students who have concussion symptoms. At the end of the session, educators will be walked through how to set up their personal account in TACT for future access.

Interested in bringing TACT to your school?  Contact brain.injury@idph.iowa.gov to learn how to get started.

Learn more about TACT

TACT promotional postcard PDF

Why get schooled on concussions? PDF  Explaination of concussion management using Multi-Teir System of Support (MTSS) 

Iowa Concussion Speakers' Bureau

In 2018,  a Concussion Speakers' Bureau was formed to provide information and training about mild brain injuries and concussion management across Iowa.  Their presentations are based on the REAP Concussion Management program and align with Iowa's current concussion law.  If you are interested in requesting a presentation for your organizaiton, school or community, please email the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa at icc@biaia.org.  

Are you a professional who has expertise in evaluation and management of concussion and other brain injuries and is willing to share their time and talents?  Please consider joining the Speakers' Bureau by emailing the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa at icc@biaia.org.

image of available speakers bureau training

References for implementing school-based concussion management, including return-to-learn and return-to-play

Iowa Concussion Law (Code of Iowa 280.13c) PDF

Iowa's Return to Play Protocol (Administrative Rules, Chapter 54)

Newly added  Brain Injury Association of America's Return to Learn Protocol 

CDC's Concussion at Play: Opportunities to Reshape the Culture Around Concussion 

CDC's Report to Congress: The management of TBI in Children (executive summary)

Concussion Management Guidelines for Iowa Schools  PDF

REAP Concussion Management manual  PDF  

Other Informational Websites

Need information and support following a concussion?  The Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa is the Department of  Health and Human Services contract partner for NeuroResource Facilitation.  You can talk to one of their staff by calling 855-444-6443 or by emailing info@biaia.org.