Free Baseline Testing Events: How Community Concussion Clinics Build Trust (and How to Host One)

Community baseline testing events serve two purposes: they provide free or low-cost baseline assessments to families who otherwise couldn’t afford them or wouldn’t prioritize them, and they position the hosting organization as a trusted leader in brain health within the community.

Programs that model this well

UPMC’s HeadsUP Pittsburgh, operated in partnership with the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, offers free baseline concussion testing to youth athletes across western Pennsylvania each summer. The MAC Alliance provides free law enforcement baseline testing throughout the Mid-Atlantic region using a portable two-tool protocol (EyeGuide Focus + Sway Balance). Numerous children’s hospitals and sports medicine clinics offer seasonal baseline events tied to back-to-school and pre-season sports physical schedules.

Venue

Secure a quiet space with adequate room for testing stations — school libraries, community centers, and clinic waiting areas work well. You need individual stations separated by dividers or distance to minimize cross-contamination of cognitive testing. Avoid gyms, cafeterias, and other acoustically challenging spaces.

Staffing

You need trained administrators at each testing station. For cognitive testing (ImPACT), one administrator per 2–4 stations is typically sufficient. For balance and VOMS, one-on-one administration is required. Athletic training students from local university programs are excellent volunteers.

Protocol

Decide what you’re testing (cognitive only? Multi-domain?) and prepare consent forms, data collection tools, and educational materials in advance. Have a written registration process that captures athlete name, date of birth, sport, relevant medical history, and parent/guardian contact information.

Education

Use the event as a concussion education opportunity. Set up an information table with printed materials (CDC HEADS UP resources are free to order in bulk). Consider a brief group presentation before testing begins that covers concussion signs and symptoms, what to do if you suspect a concussion, and the purpose of baseline testing.

Data management

Have a clear plan for secure data storage and retrieval. If using ImPACT, Passport IDs should be provided to families. For paper-based assessments (SCAT6 symptom checklists, BESS score sheets), establish a filing system and define who will have access.

Follow-up

Provide families with a summary document that includes their child’s Passport ID (if applicable), guidance on what to do if a concussion is suspected, and your organization’s contact information for post-injury evaluation.

At Headquarters, we host community baseline events regularly and can help partner organizations plan and execute their own. Contact us to discuss co-hosting an event in your community.

Frequently asked questions