Hillsboro-Deering School District

Guidelines Practices relating to the use of restraint in schools is dictated by the following: HDSD policy: JKAA Use of Restraints State of NH law: Title X Public Health, Chapter 126-U, Limiting the Use of Child Restraint Practices in Schools and Treatment Facilities Principals of crisis intervention and restraint, as advised by Pro-ACT, Inc. (the District’s official crisis intervention/restraint program) Practices relating to the use of restraint in schools is dictated by the following: HDSD policy: JKAA Use of Restraints State of NH law: Title X Public Health, Chapter 126-U, Limiting the Use of Child Restraint Practices in Schools and Treatment Facilities Principals of crisis intervention and restraint, as advised by Pro-ACT, Inc. (the District’s official crisis intervention/restraint program)

Definition of Restraint Restraint includes Physical (manual restraint): limiting an individual ‘s ability to freely move his/her body, through the use of holds or seclusion Other forms of restraint are not used in HDSD schools, such as medical or mechanical restraints The sole purpose for the use of restraint is to secure safety for individuals at imminent risk of serious bodily harm. Restraint is not used as a consequence or a punishment. Restraint includes Physical (manual restraint): limiting an individual ‘s ability to freely move his/her body, through the use of holds or seclusion Other forms of restraint are not used in HDSD schools, such as medical or mechanical restraints The sole purpose for the use of restraint is to secure safety for individuals at imminent risk of serious bodily harm. Restraint is not used as a consequence or a punishment.

Definition of Restraint Restraint does not include: Holding a child for comfort, holding a child’s hand to provide guidance or support Brief periods of physical restriction used to escort a child to another location due to significantly disruptive behavior,or used to prevent a child from completing an act of harm Physical guidance for the purpose of carrying out an instructional protocol (such as the hand-over-hand method) The use of devices or physical holds that are deemed medically necessary The use of seat belts or other passenger restraints Restraint does not include: Holding a child for comfort, holding a child’s hand to provide guidance or support Brief periods of physical restriction used to escort a child to another location due to significantly disruptive behavior,or used to prevent a child from completing an act of harm Physical guidance for the purpose of carrying out an instructional protocol (such as the hand-over-hand method) The use of devices or physical holds that are deemed medically necessary The use of seat belts or other passenger restraints

Restraint Use Physical restraint (holds and seclusion) is used as an action of last resort, under the following conditions: When an individual’s behavior represents an imminent and substantial threat of harm to self or others, and When other less restrictive efforts to manage substantially unsafe behavior have failed, or When the level of imminent risk presented by the unsafe behavior prohibits the use of other means of intervention. Physical restraint (holds and seclusion) is used as an action of last resort, under the following conditions: When an individual’s behavior represents an imminent and substantial threat of harm to self or others, and When other less restrictive efforts to manage substantially unsafe behavior have failed, or When the level of imminent risk presented by the unsafe behavior prohibits the use of other means of intervention.

Restraint Use Staff implementing physical restraints must be trained by a recognized crisis intervention and restraint training program, such as Pro-ACT. Staff must use the least amount of physical force necessary to prevent or minimize the risk of harm presented by the substantially unsafe behavior. Restraints will be employed for the shortest duration possible, lasting only long enough to achieve safety. Ensuring the dignity and confidentiality of those involved is of paramount importance. Staff implementing physical restraints must be trained by a recognized crisis intervention and restraint training program, such as Pro-ACT. Staff must use the least amount of physical force necessary to prevent or minimize the risk of harm presented by the substantially unsafe behavior. Restraints will be employed for the shortest duration possible, lasting only long enough to achieve safety. Ensuring the dignity and confidentiality of those involved is of paramount importance.

Restraint Use Dangerous restraint techniques are prohibited, including: Interference or obstruction of the restrained individual’s airway Mechanical devices that restrict movement (transportation restraints are not included here) Sensory inputs that are specifically aversive to an individual (sounds, light, smells, touch) Dangerous restraint techniques are prohibited, including: Interference or obstruction of the restrained individual’s airway Mechanical devices that restrict movement (transportation restraints are not included here) Sensory inputs that are specifically aversive to an individual (sounds, light, smells, touch)

Documentation & Notification HDSD has specific procedures in place to ensure timely and thorough documentation of all incidents of physical restraint Such procedures require that Parents/guardians be notified of the restraint incident within 24 hours of its occurrence Building personnel must submit a written report of the restraint incident to the Superintendent of Schools within 5 business days of the incident The Superintendent of Schools will provide a copy of the written report to parents, via mail, within 2 business days after its receipt HDSD has specific procedures in place to ensure timely and thorough documentation of all incidents of physical restraint Such procedures require that Parents/guardians be notified of the restraint incident within 24 hours of its occurrence Building personnel must submit a written report of the restraint incident to the Superintendent of Schools within 5 business days of the incident The Superintendent of Schools will provide a copy of the written report to parents, via mail, within 2 business days after its receipt

Oversight Practices for crisis intervention and restraint are overseen by District personnel who are certified Pro- ACT instructors, alongside administrators Incidents of restraint are promptly reviewed through the documentation process Incidents of restraint may also be reviewed through a debriefing process Practices for crisis intervention and restraint are overseen by District personnel who are certified Pro- ACT instructors, alongside administrators Incidents of restraint are promptly reviewed through the documentation process Incidents of restraint may also be reviewed through a debriefing process

If you have questions about restraint procedures in H-D schools, please consult with: Instructors: Elizabeth Licht, Behavior Specialist HDHS Stacey Vazquez, Director of HDHS Alternative Program Heather Queen, School Psychologist HDES Building Administrators Director of Student Support Services: Patty Parenteau If you have questions about restraint procedures in H-D schools, please consult with: Instructors: Elizabeth Licht, Behavior Specialist HDHS Stacey Vazquez, Director of HDHS Alternative Program Heather Queen, School Psychologist HDES Building Administrators Director of Student Support Services: Patty Parenteau