Here at CPI we’re very excited about recent strides in our aim to help reduce restraint and seclusion. Because our Nonviolent Crisis Intervention^® training program empowers staff with skills to reduce anxiety and avoid the need to restrain, and because it equips staff with safe, last-resort physical intervention skills, a flurry of states and organizations have recently either approved or reapproved our training, or have noted that it meets their requirements for boosting the safety of staff, students, and service users alike.... Read more »

This month, the US Department of Education (DOE) released a document containing 15 principles to assist educators in making policy decisions that will reduce or eliminate the use of restraint or seclusion in schools. This development is promising in that it’s consistent with recent legislation in other states, including Wisconsin, Maine, and Oregon—legislation that has already set similar precedents.... Read more »

The number of children in the country who have autism is becoming more prevalent, and a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers detailed insight into some recent statistics surrounding this nationwide health concern.... Read more »

I’m preparing for one of those momentous milestones—my 25-year college reunion. I know what you’re thinking: “He’s way too young looking to have a 25-year reunion!” All kidding aside, it is something I’m looking forward to, and I can’t wait to reconnect with everyone at St. Olaf College.... Read more »

Singer and musician Glen Campbell’s admission last year that he is battling Alzheimer’s is bringing a great deal of awareness to the disease. Often times, a person with Alzheimer’s is regarded according to what they can’t do, instead of by the abilities they have remaining. That’s why it was so touching to see Glen Campbell’s performance at the Grammys. In case you missed it, he brought the house down.... Read more »

If you follow local legislation having to do with restraint and seclusion in Wisconsin schools, then you’re probably aware of a newly proposed bill that would prohibit teachers and staff from physically restraining students in public schools, except in very specific circumstances and emergency situations. Though this is an example of legislation local to CPI’s home state, legislation related to restraint and seclusion use is a concern of schools nationwide.... Read more »

It’s hard to believe that 2011 is coming to a close! It seems like just yesterday that I was making resolutions for the new year to come. I’m happy to report that we met and exceeded the goals that I set for CPI earlier in the year.... Read more »

In November, the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) released its Emergency Department Violence Surveillance Study, based upon responses to a survey by emergency room nurses that are members of the association.Read more »

A report released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), “Restraint Use and Other Control Interventions for Mental Health Inpatients in Ontario,” reveals a very startling fact: restraints are being used on one in four people at some point during their visits to Ontario health care facilities. What makes this statistic even more surprising is that these methods are intended for use only as a last resort.... Read more »

Last month, the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a new directive, “Enforcement Procedures for Investigating or Inspecting Workplace Violence Incidents.”Read more »