GROVE CITY — “How many fingers am I holding up” doesn’t cut it anymore.

That is the position that The Penguins Foundation and UPMC Sports Medicine has taken since its inception.

Now the two organizations are expanding their Heads UP Pittsburgh concussion awareness program to include additional locations, including Grove City’s Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV that serves 27 school districts in Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties.

This is the fifth year of the program and Patrick Huber, concussion outreach coordinator for UPMC, estimates the program has educated more than 35,000 athletes and parents.

“It’s been a huge undertaking,” Huber said.

Screenings this year have already begun and will run through July 31.

MIU IV will conduct screenings Wednesday and July 29 at 453 Maple Street in Grove City from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Screenings include the IMPACT Baseline Concussion Testing as well as instruction on precautions and exercises that could reduce concussions.

Parents will also meet with UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion staff to learn about the program.

“Informed parents, coaches, referees and players are the key to make sports safer for all young athletes,” said Dave Soltesz, president of the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation.

The screening is open and free to athletes ages 10 to 14. Older athletes can also participate for a $25 fee, Huber said.

The testing process takes about one hour.

According to Huber, one of the most common questions asked is why it takes so long for a young athlete to recover from a concussion.

“They ask why is it that Troy Polamalu can come back from a concussion and play in a week, but their child is out for much longer,” Huber said. “The answer is simple. Their brain is still developing.”

In fact, the younger the athlete, the more frequently a baseline test is needed.

“An athlete 7-to-12 years old should get a baseline test every two years,” Huber said. “Having a good baseline is one of the first keys, but it’s just one tool in the box.”

Another tool is prevention.

Studies have found that neck strength can help prevent or lesson the impact of concussions.

Heads UP Pittsburgh began a program last year to provide neck-strengthening kits and flexibility kits to a limited number of participants.

That program will be offered again this year.

“Studies have found that every five pounds of neck strength reduces the risk of concussion by five percent,” Huber said. “You can’t completely eliminate the risk of a concussion, but there are preventative measures that can be taken, like a stronger neck, core and flexibility.

“We’re giving athletes, coaches and parents the tools they need,” Huber added.