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CPI Applauds House Passage of Keeping All Students Safe Act

The Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), the world's leading training organization specializing in the safe management of disruptive and assaultive behavior, applauds the US House for passing the Keeping All Students Safe Act (H.R. 4247), written by US Reps. George Miller (D-Cal.) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.).

The bill passed the House 262 to 153, with bipartisan support. Written following a Government Accountability Office investigation on alleged abuse of restraint and seclusion in schools, the bill requires states to implement policies to regulate the use of restraint and seclusion, prohibits physical restraint and seclusion of students except to stop imminent danger of injury, requires that staff are trained to intervene in a crisis situation, and provides funding for states to implement the requirements.

"This legislation is a major stride forward in establishing federal policies to protect students and guide school personnel in ensuring classrooms are safe places for all," said Tony Jace, CEO, Crisis Prevention Institute. "We were pleased to work with members of the House Committee on Education and Labor on this legislation to ensure that it establishes clear and effective accountability measures and outcomes, and provides for ongoing professional development and support."

During debate, members on both sides of the aisle noted the importance of reducing the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. The bill now moves on to the Senate, where companion legislation was introduced in December 2009 by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.).

"Chairman Miller and Representative McMorris Rodgers are to be commended for their efforts to bring forward a comprehensive bill that recognizes the need to provide school personnel with the resources necessary to achieve appropriate training," said Dr. Randolph M. Boardman, Executive Director of Research and Development for CPI. "Regulations at the federal or state levels that focus on providing educators sufficient initial and ongoing training, skill sets, and best practices in crisis intervention will help create schools that are both physically and emotionally safer places for all students, all staff, and all stakeholders. CPI has devoted three decades of training to achieving these very objectives, and we pledge to lend our expertise to ensure the final legislation is based on the best practices available."

The Crisis Prevention Institute, Inc. is the world's leading training organization specializing in the safe management of disruptive and assaultive behavior. CPI's Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program stresses prevention and safer responses for managing anxious, hostile, or violent behavior. Since 1980, more than 5.4 million professionals have participated in CPI training, and thousands of organizations worldwide have successfully implemented CPI's unique behavior management techniques.

For more information about CPI, its training programs, and its workplace violence prevention resources, please visit www.crisisprevention.com.