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HELP PREVENT RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION WITH YOUR CALL
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In one week, Congress returns to session. We're asking you to join us in a National Call-In Day on Thursday, January 21st, to tell your members of Congress to support the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247/S. 2860) introduced last month by Representatives George Miller (D-CA) and Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) and by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT).
This legislation would provide students with and without disabilities vital protections against abuse in schools.
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WHAT YOU CAN DO
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Please call your Representative this Thursday, January 21st, and ask him or her to co-sponsor HR 4247 (pdf). Then, call on your Senators to co-sponsor S. 2860 (pdf).
Please encourage your friends, family and coworkers to participate, as well.
- Find out the names of your US Senators and Representative.
- On Thursday, call the US Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
- Ask for the offices of your US Senators and Representative.
- Ask to speak to the legislative aide working on education issues.
- Identify yourself as a constituent and the organization that you represent (if any).
Message: "I am calling to urge (Senator X) to co-sponsor S. 2860, legislation preventing harmful use of restraint and seclusion in schools."
Message: "I am calling to urge (Representative X) to co-sponsor H.R. 4247, legislation preventing harmful use of restraint and seclusion in schools."
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IMPORTANT POINTS TO STRESS
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- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found widespread incidents of significant injury and even death as a result of harmful restraint and seclusion in schools.
- Research confirms that restraint and seclusion are not therapeutic, nor are these practices effective means to calm or teach children, and may have an opposite effect while simultaneously decreasing a child's ability to learn.
- Children are protected from inappropriate restraint and seclusion in other settings, such as hospitals, health facilities, and non-medical community-based facilities.
- Restraint and seclusion are ineffective at managing behavior in students with and without disabilities in comparison to more positive approaches, such as school-wide positive behavior supports (PBS).
Please spread the word by forwarding this email to friends and colleagues.
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