ImPACT Applications and Dave Duerson Athletic Safety Fund to Deliver Baseline and Post-Injury Testing to Underserved Schools

ImPACT Applications, Inc., developer of ImPACT®, ImPACT Passport, and the ImPACT Concussion Management Model™, proudly announces a new partnership with the Dave Duerson Athletic Safety Fund, Inc. (DDASF) to provide underserved schools across the United States with critical components of concussion management: baseline and post-injury testing.

During the 2016-2017 academic year, DDASF plans to offer its educational services and concussion management tools to more than 7.3 million students, faculty, and administrators in 100 public school districts across 35 states. Of that number, the foundation will provide ImPACT computerized neurocognitive tests for more than 1.5 million student athletes in underprivileged school districts this coming school year. DDASF has already helped administer concussion management protocols utilizing ImPACT in school systems across Indiana. Through this partnership, ImPACT Applications will enhance DDASF’s ability to expand the program and offer tests to other school districts across the country.

“All students deserve equal access to injury management tools regardless of their economic background,” said Michael Wahlster, chief executive officer of ImPACT Applications. “Through programs like this one with DDASF, we can help organizations provide access to the highest level of care and give all student athletes a level playing field.”

“I know first-hand the effects of brain injury and am encouraged we are making progress every day in managing concussions. ImPACT Is one of the most important concussion management tools. We have established this partnership to help ensure student athletes receive access to the same neurocognitive testing as professional athletes,” added Michael Timothy Duerson, founder of DDASF and brother of former NFL player Dave Duerson, who died after suffering from a concussion-related disease. “We are excited to continue our efforts toward enhancing player safety and increasing awareness surrounding concussions here in Indiana and across the country.”

The Indianapolis School District (IPS), the largest school district in Indiana, greatly benefits from the work of DDASF. Additionally, Delaware County Schools and Muncie Community Schools (MCS) in Duerson’s hometown have implemented ImPACT testing in all 12 schools, grades 6-12, benefiting about 6,000 student athletes thanks to DDASF.

“School districts in Indiana alone report hundreds of head injuries per year in a number of different sports,” added Dr. Steven Baule, Superintendent, MCS. “It is critical that students, teachers, coaches, nurses, and administrative staff are educated about the symptoms of concussions and how to recognize these symptoms in a student. ImPACT Applications and DDASF are striving to do that in our communities.”

Head injuries are on the rise for athletes at all levels of play, with an estimated 4 to 5 million concussions occurring annually and an increase emerging among middle school athletes. Proper management and scientifically-informed return-to-play decisions made by trained medical professionals are important to the long-term health of athletes.

DDASF provides schools with ImPACT baseline tests to be administered pre-season by trained individuals in a controlled testing environment. If an injury occurs, DDASF will provide post-injury tests, which must be administered and analyzed by trained, licensed healthcare providers.

About Dave Duerson Athletic Safety Fund, Inc.

Dave Duerson Athletic Safety Fund, Inc. (DDASF) is a continuous program to educate all students (Grades K – 12) about concussion awareness and detection. Initially set up to support Muncie Community Schools in Indiana, the foundation is branching out to surrounding counties and looking to expand to other states. DDASF provides neurocognitive testing for all male and female student athletes in all sports (from cheerleading to football) in 7th through 12th grades. The foundation is designed to be a sustainable funding mechanism for the school systems that it serves.