At the YMCA, we believe that the safety and well being of our athletes is paramount to the score of any game. While our goal is to help our athletes grow through physical activity, teamwork, and fun, we also have a responsibility to ensure that every athlete is as safe as possible while participating in Y activities. To that end, we have an obligation to inform you of a few items.
Ohio Concussion Laws
The first is Ohio concussion laws. All athletes and families should be familiar with concussion risks and requirements of youth serving organizations such as the YMCA.
As of April 26, 2013, Ohio’s Return-to-Play law (ORC 3313.539 or ORC 3314.03) requires that Ohio youth athletes who are suspected of sustaining a concussion, MUST be removed from practice or play. Ohio laws prohibit a child to return to play (practice or competition) on the same day that he/she is removed on suspicion of having sustained a concussion. He/she may return the following day if cleared in writing by a physician (MD or DO) or other authorized healthcare provider that they did not sustain a concussion.
Parents and Guardians
Sports are a great way for children and teens to stay healthy! Being physically active can also help children do better in school. As a parent or guardian, your actions create the culture for safety and can help lower your child's chance of getting a concussion or other serious injury. It's important to note that aggressive and/or unsportsmanlike behavior among athletes can increase their chances of getting a concussion or other serious injury.
CDC Resources
Lindsay's Law
The second relates to what is known in Ohio as Lindsay's Law. Lindsay's Law pertains to the risks associated with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) for athletes. Please join us in join us in learning more about the dangers and risks associated with sudden cardiac arrest. We are also asking that you review and sign the following material.
Lindsay’s Law, Ohio Revised Code 3313.5310, 3707.58 and 3707.59 went into effect in 2017.
In accordance with this law, the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio High School Athletic Association, the Ohio Chapter of the American College of Cardiology and other stakeholders jointly developed guidelines and other relevant materials to inform and educate students and youth athletes participating in or desiring to participate in an athletic activity, their parents, and their coaches about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest.
The following resources were developed to implement Lindsay’s Law:
For parents/guardians and youth athletes:
For coaches:
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If you are a coach for an interscholastic sport and are licensed by the Ohio Department of Education, please visit their website for information about their training requirements around Lindsay’s Law.
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If you are a coach in a community program, please use the following resources:
Know See Respond
Also, the YMCA is committed to the protection of every child from child sexual abuse, and that is also evident in our youth sports practices and operations.
Seasons change, days get shorter before they get longer, and we celebrate milestones in our lives. The Y is proud to be part of the fabric of life for thousands of individuals who look to us for impact in the areas of child care, youth programs, healthy living and a sense of community.