Putting an End to Restraints and Seclusion

Recently, the Bellevue School Board met to vote on a plan regarding the use of restraint and seclusion techniques (read the Q13 report here). While the plan might have addressed the legislature's requirement to have a policy, it fell far short in addressing the very real concerns of parents whose children have I/DD and who have been forced into isolation rooms due to behavioral issues.

Parents who spoke up against the plan managed to table its vote...for now, but it's a battle that has shown few signs of subsiding.

According to the national campaign to Stop Hurting Kids:

Restraint and Seclusion are practices used in public schools that have killed, injured, and traumatized students. More than 20 children have died, according to a Congressional agency report.  At least 107,000 students were subjected to restraint and seclusion in isolation rooms, according to data from the 2011-12 school year. 

The campaign has established a National Call-In Day to members of Congress, asking them to co-sponsor the KEEPING ALL STUDENTS SAFE ACT, which seeks to prevent dangerous restraint and seclusion.

The Call-In Day is June 12th. For more information, visit the Stop Hurting Kids action alert.