On March 17, 2011, Vermont passed Rule 4500: The Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Schools [PDF]. These rules become effective on August 15, 2011, however schools have until September 30, 2011 to have trained staff available.

The purposes of these rules are to:
 

  • Create and maintain a positive and safe learning environment in schools;
  • Promote positive behavioral interventions and supports in schools; and
  • Ensure that students are not subjected to inappropriate use of restraint or seclusion.


Physical restraint may be used only when a student’s behavior poses an imminent and substantial risk of physical injury to the student or others. Physical restraint or seclusion shall only be imposed by school personnel or contract service providers who have been trained to provide the selected intervention. The Department of Education shall maintain a directory of recommended physical restraint training programs.


CPI Can Help!
Schools across the US use the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program because it's been shown to be effective in both the prevention of and the safe use of physical restraint. CPI training focuses on prevention and de-escalation techniques and other alternatives to restraint and seclusion, as well as how to use safer, less-restrictive physical interventions only as a last resort. Training gives staff tools to organize their thinking about risk behavior and help them determine the most appropriate, least restrictive intervention to use in each unique situation.

Tailoring Training to Your School’s Needs
CPI training can be tailored to the unique needs of your school or district. With our train-the-trainer option, select staff can be certified to teach the program to other staff on a continuing basis. We also offer specialized materials to help connect the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program skills and strategies with your school-wide PBIS plan to increase positive student behavior.

How to Get Training
We can bring the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program on site to your school, or you can attend training in one of more than 150 public locations throughout the US.