Restraint and Seclusion

Over the past four years, CEC has actively worked with its division, the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD), Congress, the Administration, and other advocacy organizations to promote the inclusion of CEC and CCBD's recommendations on the appropriate use of restraint and seclusion in federal legislation. Currently, there is legislation in both the House and the Senate that – if passed - would set a federal minimum standard for the use of restraint and seclusion, require better data collection on the issue and address the need for comprehensive staff training and development. Below are a list of resources CEC has developed over the years about this important issue.

Senate Hearing on Restraint and Seclusion July 12

CEC member and Centennial School of Lehigh University Director Michael George spoke at the U.S. Senate hearing, “Beyond Seclusion and Restraint: Creating Positive Learning Environments for All Students” on July 12.

Read George's testimony from the hearing.

View the webcast of the Senate hearing on July 12 at 10:30am.

Read about the systems change that has occurred at George's school.

Read a Q&A with George in CEC Today.

CEC Participates in White House Meeting on Restraint and Seclusion (May, 2009)
After attending a congressional hearing about the use of restraints and seclusion in public schools in May 2009, CEC, along with representatives from its divisions CCBD and CASE, joined other leaders in the field at the White House to discuss issues concerning restraint and seclusion policies with the Obama Administration.

In April 2009, CEC Executive Director Bruce Ramirez attended a White House briefing hosted by Kareem Dale and Tina Tchen, the White House Director of Public Liaison.

CEC Restraint and Seclusion Policies and Information

Read CEC's Policy on Physical Restraint and Seclusion Procedures in School Settings.

Read CCBD's full position on restraints.

Read CCBD's full position on seclusion.

Special Educators Applaud Proposed Legislation on Restraint and Seclusion -- CEC and CCBD Recommendations are key Elements of Proposed Legislation

Read CEC's Hot Topic Brief: Seclusion and Restraint Practices Under Scrutiny.

View the 2011 CAN Meeting PowerPoint on Restraint and Seclusion in the Schools: What are the Controversial Issues and What are We Likely to See at the Federal Level.

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