Restrictive Procedures Plan

In accordance with Minnesota Statute 1125A.0942, Subd. 1, every school district is required to develop and make public a plan that discloses its use of restrictive procedures.  The plan specifically outlines the list of restrictive procedures the school intends to use;  how the school will monitor and review the use of restrictive procedures, including post use debriefings and convening an oversight committee;  and a written description and documentation of the training staff that have completed the training.

The Orono Public School District #278 uses restrictive procedures only in emergency situations.  “Emergency” means a situation where immediate intervention is needed to protect a child or other individuals from physical injury.

Restrictive Procedures used in the Orono School District #278

Physical holding:  Physical holding means physical intervention intended to hold a child immobile or limit a child’s movement where body contact is the only source of physical restraint, and where immobilization is used to effectively gain control of a child in order to protect a child or other individual from physical injury.  Physical procedures are used as the least intrusive procedure necessary to keep students and staff safe in emergency situations.  Staff are taught annually as part of evidence-based certification programs. *

How the school will implement a range of positive behavior strategies and provide links to mental health services.

All staff have access to a local mental health resource guide for anyone in need of Mental Health Services.

Any staff who may use restrictive procedures are trained annually, based on the twelve skills below and knowledge areas directed by the state of Minnesota.  

1. Positive behavioral interventions
2. Communicative intent of behaviors
3. Relationship building
4. Alternatives to restrictive procedures, including techniques to identify events and environmental factors that may escalate behavior;
5. De-escalation methods;
6. Standards for using restrictive procedures only in an emergency
7. Obtaining emergency medical assistance
8. The physiological and psychological impact of physical holding and seclusion
9. Monitoring and responding to a child’s physical signs of distress when physical holding is being used
10. Recognizing the symptoms of and interventions that may cause positional asphyxia when physical holding is used
11. District policies and procedures for timely reporting and documenting each incident involving use of restrictive procedure
12. School-wide programs on positive behavior strategies.  

How the school will monitor and review the use of restrictive procedures?

A restrictive procedure may be used in an emergency when immediate intervention is needed to protect a child or other individual from physical injury; and less intrusive or non-physical interventions would not be effective; and a behavior intervention plan has been developed for the student and the student has failed to respond to those reinforcement and de-escalation techniques.  The staff who implements or oversees the restrictive procedure shall inform the special education administration of any use of a restrictive procedure as soon as possible and complete the Restrictive Procedure Form no later than the next working day.  The District special education administration will maintain an ongoing record of all reported uses of restrictive procedures.  Quarterly, the special education administration will convene an oversight committee which will consist of the Director of Special Services, Coordinator of Special Services, building administrators, and a school psychologist.  This oversight committee will review aggregate data, monitor the use of procedures and provide additional training if necessary.  

Those authorized to use restrictive procedures

The following employee job classifications are authorized and have been trained to use restrictive procedures:  

• District special education teachers (including Sp/L pathologists who have received training)
• District school social workers
• District school psychologists
• Building administrators
• Special Education Administrators
• District para-educator staff
• District nurse

* See attached list of staff trainings

Individual Education Plans

The team may include a plan for using restrictive procedures in the IEP but may only use the procedures in situations that constitute and emergency.  The IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and/or BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan) must indicate how the parent wants to be notified when a restrictive procedure is used. The team is expected to debrief after every restrictive procedure and complete the Restrictive Procedures Form.

Notification and Documentation Requirements

1. Parents should be notified the same day that a restrictive procedure is used.  If this is not possible, there should be written or electronic notification within 2 days.  If a restrictive procedure is used on two separate occasions in 30 days or when a pattern emerges, and it’s not included in the IEP or BIP the district must hold an IEP meeting of the team within 10 calendar days  to conduct a review of the Functional Behavior Assessment data and consider developing or revising the behavioral interventions and supports as appropriate.  
2. A Restrictive Procedures Reporting Form must be completed every time a restrictive procedure is used. Please see the Restrictive Procedures Reporting Form.  

*PCM -  Professional Crisis Management