Emergency Safety Interventions Policy

The board of education is committed to limiting the use of Emergency Safety Interventions (“ESI”), such as seclusion and restraint, with all students.  The board of education encourages all employees to utilize other behavioral management tools, including prevention techniques, de-escalation techniques, and positive behavioral intervention strategies. 

This policy shall be made available on the district website with links to the policy available on any individual school pages.  In addition, this policy shall be included in at least one of the following: each school’s code of conduct, school safety plan, or student handbook.

Definitions (See K.A.R. 91-42-1)

“Emergency Safety Intervention” is the use of seclusion or physical restraint when a student presents an immediate danger to self or others.  Violent action that is destructive of property may necessitate the use of an emergency safety intervention.

“Seclusion” requires all three of the following conditions to be met: (1) the student is placed in an enclosed area by school personnel; (2) the student is purposefully isolated from adults and peers; and (3) the student is prevented from leaving, or reasonably believes that the student will be prevented from leaving, the enclosed area. 

“Chemical Restraint” means the use of medication to control a student’s violent physical behavior or restrict a student’s freedom of movement.

“Mechanical Restraint” means any device or object used to limit a student’s movement.

“Physical Restraint” means bodily force used to substantially limit a student’s movement.

“Physical Escort” means the temporary touching or holding the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back of a student who is acting out for the purpose of inducing the student to walk to a safe location.

“Time-out” means a behavioral intervention in which a student is temporarily removed from a learning activity without being confined.

Prohibited Types of Restraint

All staff members are prohibited from engaging in the following actions with all students:

·         Using face-down (prone) physical restraint;

·         Using face-up (supine) physical restraint;

·         Using physical restraint that obstructs the student’s airway;

·         Using physical restraint that impacts a student’s primary mode of communication;

·         Using chemical restraint, except as prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional for treatment of a medical or psychiatric condition; and

·         Use of mechanical restraint, except:

o     Protective or stabilizing devices required by law or used in accordance with an order from a licensed healthcare professional;

o     Any device used by law enforcement officers to carry out law enforcement duties; or

o     Seatbelts and other safety equipment used to secure students during transportation.

For more information about "ESI" contact Valerie Thompson in the district office at 620.598.2205.