Blog
Archive
Categories
Support TASH through the Combined Federal Campaign
Simply choose number 97580 on your form to advance the right to a choice-driven, community-based life for all people, regardless of their barriers or support needs.
April 12, 2011
Help Keep All Students Safe from Restraint and Seclusion in Schools
TASH Members and Supporters
You likely know by now that TASH has been as the forefront of advocacy efforts regarding restraint and seclusion. Over a year ago, the Keeping All Students Safe Act passed in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. Later in 2010, it failed to reach the Senate floor for a vote. With the support of TASH, the Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion (APRAIS) and advocates like you, this critical legislation has now been re-introduced into the House of Representatives by Rep. George Miller, D-Calif.
The Keeping All Students Safe Act would, for the first time, put in place minimum safety standards to prevent abusive restraint and seclusion in schools across the country, similar to protections already in place in medical and community based facilities. After two years, states will need to have their own policies in place to meet these minimum standards. It would apply to schools and preschools receiving federal education support.
As you have in the past, please again join us in supporting the Keeping All Students Safe Act!
1) Please view “The Cost of Waiting,” a report from TASH detailing the consequences of not passing this legislation a year ago. You’re encouraged to download and share this report with your networks, congress members and media in your area. View the report here: http://tash.org/the-cost-of-waiting/
2) Contact your U.S. Representative and urge them to co-sponsor this legislation
Contacting Your Representative
Online: find a representative in your state and click on their contact form to submit your letter. In your letter, identify yourself as a constituent and urge your senator/representative to “Please support the Keeping All Students Safe Act (H.R. 1381).”
Phone: call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your representative’s office. Once connected, ask to speak with an office aide who handles education issues. Identify yourself and ask the aide to “Please tell Representative (NAME) that I support the Keeping All Students Safe Act (H.R. 1381).”
View TASH’s press release on the Keeping All Students Safe Act and The Cost of Waiting
For additional background and information, visit the APRAIS section of this site
I went into my son school sept 2010 trusting staff in his special ed program. I never knew what an NCPI ment until it was too late. To make a long story short, I ended up pulling my son out of his school because for months he endured being bullied my students and lastly was injured by staff. On top of that they acted like I knew it was ok. I said for what? TO send him home with bruises, cuts and strangle marks on his neck/body. NO! I never signed up for it. I demanded action and changes and answers and still have nothing. I filed a concern through the state which led me to a local police officer saying the teacher most likely wont get charged for maltreatment because my son was standing on a table ‘being a danger to himself and others’ and his IEP clearly stated things that justified the teacher practically drop my son to the floor dragging him by his clothes causing him to choke and throw up, ending up hovering over him and man handled him into a “hold”. (we all know if I as a parent would of done that they would of by law had to turn me into CPS and most likely would have a case) No one called me once during that day to say my son was hurt. However the teacher who injured him left a message on my cell when I was out getting him off the school bus that my son was being bad the past couple days and we needed to talk. HE was even sent home in someone else clothes. And the ones I sent him to school in went “missing” Cant help to think (makes me sick to my stomach) that someone from the school hid my son clothes cuz it had evidence on it? (blood) I have now learned my son had been restrained 7 times that day alone. The total times during his attendance are even more sickening and I had to beg someone from compliance to get me a copy of it and it took 3 weeks, and it doesnt match up other things to prove correct totals, but either way it was alot,. remind you there was never no communication to myself and I never signed any conditional procedure releases. Each day I find out more. Constant seclusion, time out or other locked room. Less privelages then other kids, missed lunchs, or no choices, restraints, etc. Whether my son has a flashback, nightmare, sensory issue that brings him back…I was already asking him to be moved because he was having problems and didnt seem to fit in that program nor was being mainstreamed like I was promised, and the school has been fighting me during IEP review since (jan 11). So now I am dealing with a due process; but being disabled myself and not having much income makes it hard, especially now that I have my 6 year old son at home full time going on 2 months. I even bought him a puppy to help provide him emotional support as he had become suicidal during the “issues” and that too fell apart a little (lack of training/proper time and funding) But we do love him and he seems to soothe us both at night. Anyways,
He should be allowed in school like everyone else. The district is pushing me further. But I am trying to use my voice. I am good at advocating. The stress is a struggle. I cry everynight thinking of what happen there and it makes me sad for him/his future and other kids. I dont trust anything they say anymore. I cant believe this stuff even goes on. It needs to stop. I will continue to work hard to make things better for our kids. If there is any other resources or information you have please let me know. Thanks.
They are so wrong for doing that to your son,,,,fight back our son too….we and yours do count,contact the media,contact the feds, your son has civil rights,,,IEP are NOT INDIVIDUAL PUNISHMENT PLANS its time we get mad back,your son counts…I am so sorry and sickened by educators who love to toture