PADDED CELL?

PADDED CELL?
National Disability Rights Network Report- School Is Not Supposed to Hurt

SECLUSION ROOM OR QUIET ROOM?

SECLUSION ROOM OR QUIET ROOM?
EAST GOSHEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA

TO BE PRONE OR NOT TO BE PRONE? THAT IS THE QUESTION.

TO BE PRONE OR NOT TO BE PRONE? THAT IS THE QUESTION.
Abbie was Restrained 14 times in one day for noncompliance issues

POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION COST TOO MUCH! RESTRAIN HIM IN THE RIFTON CHAIR INSTEAD.

POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION COST TOO MUCH! RESTRAIN HIM IN THE RIFTON CHAIR INSTEAD.
CCIU/EAST BRADFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WEST CHESTER, PA.

QUIET ROOM OR CELL?

QUIET ROOM OR CELL?
NAA: The Restraint and Prevention Symposium

ABUSE IS ABUSE, REGARDLESS OF WHO IT IS

ABUSE IS ABUSE, REGARDLESS OF WHO IT IS
Man Arrested For Abusing His Autistic Son

WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND FAMILIES AGAINST RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION

The abuse of children at the hands of school personnel has risen over the last two decades and the nation is outraged. The children most likely to be abused are children with disabilities. Children who are poor and homeless are not excluded from the abuse.

The abuse presents itself in various forms -restraints, seclusion, suffocation, and sometimes even death. Last year, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation found hundreds of allegations that children have been abused and some have died as a result of the misuses of restraints and seclusion in public and private schools, often by untrained staff. United States representatives George Miller and Cathy McMorris Rodgers introduced the "Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in School Act" (HR 4247) and senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut introduced it's sister bill, (S. 2860). This legislation is the first national effort to address the problem and ensure the safety of students and school staff.

The abuse of a child in school can easily escalate into retaliation against the parent(s), caretaker(s), or advocate. Retaliation can include the denial educational services, the denial of a child to attend school, an illegal eviction from your residence, neglect and abuse charges filed against you by the school, a loss of employment, removal of the child from the caretaker by child protective services, false charges against the parent, caregiver, or advocate that can lead to an arrest, etc.

We must stop asking, "What are they (everyone else) going to do about the abuse of our nation's children?" While the rest of America sits blind, not necessarily their fault, they are under the assumption that their tax dollars are paying for an education without abuse, restraints, seclusion, or retaliation. American citizens believe that when they send their children to school, they will be safe, not abused or killed by school personnel.

It is our belief that all children are entitled to a free, appropriate, and SAFE education in the public and private school system, as specified under IDEA. We need your support in effecting change within the system.

Thank you!

Sunday, November 24, 2013

ANTONIO GIARRUSSO, LAWMAKERS, NATIONAL AUTISM ASSOCIATION, RHODE ISLAND FAMILIES AGAINST RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION CALLS FOR CAMERAS ON SCHOOL BUSES, BETTER TRAINED BUS PERSONNEL, AND NATIONAL BCI CHECKS

The Safety of Rhode Island Students on School Buses is Jeopardized Each Day to Save Money. 
 
The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), Statewide Bus, Transpar (Bus Management Co.), and First Student Bus Was Aware that Bus Personnel Were Not Adequately Trained

Photo by NBC10

According to NBC 10 background checks are required for all school employees, but not school bus drivers and monitors.

State Rep. Antonio Giarrusso, R-East Greenwich told NBC10, "When it comes to school safety and the safety of our children you have to make sure there's no stone left unturned."

Tony Gugliotta of NBC 10 reports-Wendy Fournier, president of the National Autism Association, says non-verbal children are at most risk because they cannot adequately verbalize their feelings.  Fournier said she was in favor of background checks and added that bus personnel should be trained to work with special education students and that video cameras should be installed on all buses.  Fournier also said it's important for bus personnel to recognize behavioral cues in children so a potentially volatile situation can be avoided. "If something doesn't feel right to you as a parent follow your gut and investigate, because you're probably right," Fournier said.

To read more and see video, click on following link:
http://www.turnto10.com/story/24047765/ri-lawmaker-pushing-for-background-checks-on-school-bus-personnel

At a meeting on November 8, 2013, with the Barrington School Department, Transpar, Statewide, and First Student bus Co. of Warren, bus manager Francisco Monteiro and bus personnel stated that they did not believe that they were adequately trained to transport special needs children that exhibit certain stereotypical behaviors and requested more comprehensive training from RIDE and Transpar, Mike Johnson.  Bus personnel, at the meeting, admit that comprehensive training is necessary and is very receptive to receiving more training.  They also stated that you have to love your job, be compassionate for individuals with special needs and want to be at the job.

First student's website states the following:

"Extra care, attention, and assistance are required when transporting students with disabilities. As the leader in student transportation services, First Student knows this better than any other provider. That’s why our drivers and attendants stand above the rest – and why we’re trusted by more school districts.  Founded on our decades of experience, we have developed special hiring qualifications and training programs specific to our early childhood and special-needs transportation services. Our training goes beyond state requirements and is among the most rigorous in the industry.
First Student drivers and monitors are required to participate in numerous needs-specific education programs, workshops and on-the-job training surrounding recognizing, responding to, and transporting students with a variety of physical and emotional needs. Drivers, attendants and other employees who work with early childhood students or students with disabilities and/or special needs receive vigorous training on topics."

The website further states that bus personnel training includes:

1.  Inclusion: Learn how to assist a child with disabilities to become more involved with their peers.
2. Characteristics of Disabilities: Learn what can potentially happen, how to react, and what we can do to help.
3. Sensitivity: Understanding and involving others.
4. Laws and liabilities: Provides training with regular updates regarding laws and regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504.
5. Student Behavior Management: Learn how to assist with extreme behaviors and calm a child when they become stressed.
6. Passenger Loading/Unloading Equipment Training: Learn important instructions and procedures for vehicle and wheelchair lift operation, wheelchair securement and child safety restraint systems.
7. Written Evacuation Plans: Learn what to do in an emergency and how to evacuate quickly, safely, and without injury.

Go to First Student website to read more:
http://firststudentinc.com/transportation-management/school-bus-safety/special-needs-training
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