The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has adopted regulations affecting statute 14 NYCRR sections 27, 526, and 587, which govern the use of restraint and seclusion in mental health facilities.
 
About the Regulations
The purpose of the updated regulations is to set standards for the quality care and treatment of people receiving services in facilities operated or licensed by the OMH and to promote a safe and therapeutic environment, reduce the risk of danger to staff and people receiving care, and prevent violent behavior in OMH facilities.
 
The updated regulations state that seclusion and restraint should never be used as punishment, and that staff should use the least-restrictive intervention whenever possible. They allow for the practices to be used only as a last resort in emergency situations when a person’s behavior presents an immediate risk of harm to self or others. 
 
Training Requirements
The requirements stipulate that all staff in OMH-licensed facilities who have direct patient contact must:
  • Receive ongoing education and training.
  • Demonstrate competency in techniques and alternative methods for handling behavior in order to avoid restraint and seclusion.
  • Demonstrate competency in the proper and safe use of seclusion and restraint when needed.

While state-owned and operated facilities are required to use the OMH’s PMCS program, facilities that are licensed through the OMH are able to use training that is consistent with OMH standards, such as CPI's Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training.

Read the amendments [PDF] to the New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations (NYCRR).
 
CPI Can Help!
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program focuses on prevention and de-escalation techniques that help staff recognize and understand the roots of disruptive and assaultive behavior, and how to control their own responses to the behavior. The program’s techniques are also effective in both the prevention of and the safer, less-restrictive, last-resort use of physical restraint. Additionally, the program helps staff build and expand their person-centered, trauma-informed approach to care.

Get details on how Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training can help you comply with the regulations [PDF].
 
How to Get Training
CPI training can be tailored to the unique needs of your facility. With our train-the-trainer option, select staff can be certified to teach the program to other staff on a continuing basis. We can bring the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program on site to your facility or you can attend training in one of more than 150 public locations throughout the US and Canada.
 
Advanced Course
If you’re already a Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Certified Instructor, you can share strategies with your staff from our advanced course, Trauma-Informed Care: Implications for CPI's Crisis Development ModelSM. This course dives deep into the influence of trauma on behavior and offers additional strategies to help you better serve individuals who have experienced traumatic events. Locate an upcoming public program or have us bring the training to you.