Clarification, Answer Your Questions Regarding Misuse and Abuse of Restraint and Seclusion

February 8, 2010

There seems to be some confusion as to what is going on regarding state and federal law/policy as it applies to the misuse and abuse of seclusion and restraint. Maybe these links will help explain some of the misunderstandings.

STATE

Current statute in Missouri: http://nomoseclusion.blogspot.com/2009/11/current-statutes-in-missouri.html

Update on situation in Missouri: http://nomoseclusion.blogspot.com/2010/02/update-but-not-much-progress-at-state.html

Please read the minutes from the November 2009 DESE meeting and you will see that even in Missouri, representatives from SSD and Touchpoint agree with the definitions and reasons for restraint and seclusion, similar, yet somewhat more restrictive than what's in the currently proposed federal bill.

FEDERAL

HR 4247 w/ amendments: http://edlabor.house.gov/markups/2010/02/preventing-harmful-restraint-a.shtml

HR 4247 Basics: http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/12/preventing-harmful-restraint-a.shtml

Myths and facts: http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2010/02/myth-vs-fact-preventing-harmfu.shtml

Supporters: http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2010/01/supporters-of-the-preventing-h.shtml

NEW PUBLICATIONS

TASH: http://nomoseclusion.blogspot.com/2010/02/tash-releases-survey-results-on.html

NDRN: http://nomoseclusion.blogspot.com/2010/02/school-is-not-supposed-to-hurt-update.html

I encourage you all to voice your opinions and concerns to your legislators, but please research and understand the facts before you do so.

Ange Hemmer
Missouri: Families Against Seclusion and Restraint

Blog: http://nomoseclusion.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Missouri-Families-Against-Seclusion-and-Restraint/192579456768
Twitter: @nomoseclusion