[Press Release]
The Crisis Prevention Institute, Inc. (CPI) applauds the US House Committee on Education and Labor for hosting a full committee hearing yesterday on the use of restraint and seclusion in our nation’s schools. The committee heard testimony today from several key witnesses to help lawmakers decide the best course of action to take to help reduce the use of restraint and seclusion in schools throughout the country. Although federal legislation regarding the use of restraint and seclusion in schools has not yet been introduced, Rep. George Miller (D-California), Chairman of the Committee, pledged action on this issue.
“Today’s testimony about these tragedies was difficult to hear. Fortunately, we work with many schools nationwide that show unwavering commitment to reducing the risks associated with restraint use. It was encouraging to hear a resounding theme from the panel of witnesses that supported staff skill-building strategies for effective and safe ways to address disruptive behavior,” said CPI President Judith Schubert. “As a training organization working to provide these critical skills to educators, we have seen the benefits that training can have in a school setting.”
One state’s efforts to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint were highlighted in the testimony. The State of Illinois implemented measures to ensure that school personnel had the training they needed to help prevent and de-escalate disruptive behaviors.
“We are proud of the fact that many educators in the State of Illinois have chosen to use CPI’s Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program as part of an overall Positive Behavior Intervention and Support system,” said Schubert. “We hope that the successes seen in Illinois can serve as a template for other states. In fact, the Department of Education highlighted staff development in Positive Behavior Supports in its document on appropriate uses of Recovery Act Funds.”
The Crisis Prevention Institute, headquartered in Wisconsin with an office in Cheshire, England, is the world's leading training organization specializing in the safe management of disruptive and assaultive behavior. CPI's Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program stresses prevention and safer responses for managing anxious, hostile, or violent behavior. Since 1980, more than 5.4 million professionals have participated in CPI training, and thousands of organizations worldwide have successfully implemented CPI's unique behavior management techniques.
For more information about CPI, its training programs, and its workplace violence prevention resources, please visit www.crisisprevention.com.
Contact:
Robert D. Rettmann
Research and Communications Services Coordinator
Crisis Prevention Institute, Inc.
1-262-317-3475
rrettmann@crisisprevention.com