Prone Restraints in Children's Facilities Bulletins

December 18, 2009

Dear Stakeholder,

On December 19, 2009, the attached statement (see below) of policy regarding prone restraints will be published in the PA Bulletin. The effective date of the statement of policy will be June 21st, 2010 to allow time for implementation.

In addition, attached below are a policy bulletin that discusses strategies and practices for reducing/eliminating restraints along with the Alternatives to Coercive Techniques (ACT) core competencies document that was developed in partnership with our ACT work group and providers. The core competencies present basic practice ideals that apply when working with children and youth in all settings. It incorporates the ideals of leadership, mentoring, trauma informed interactions, modeling and youth and family involvement and serves to reinforce basic practice principles in an easy to use and applied manner. The values and competencies included in this document support the desired cultural shifts toward reducing restraints.

Each of our DPW program offices has a point of contact listed on the policy bulletin and below should you have any questions regarding any of these documents. You can also feel free to contact me, Angie (see below).

Questions regarding this protocol should be directed to the appropriate Department regional office. Regional offices can also discuss appropriate restraint holds and restraint reduction strategies.

Questions specific to this bulletin may be directed to:

Juvenile Justice Services
Daryl Nelson
717-214-9546
darnelson@state.pa.us

Child Welfare Services
Ellen Whitesell
717-214-9780 
ewhitesell@state.pa.us

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Scott Talley
717-772-6427
stalley@state.pa.us

Developmental Programs and Mental Retardation Services
Pam Kuhno                  
610-562-6200
pkuhno@state.pa.us

General questions related to the Alternatives to Coercive Techniques Initiative (ACT) and the no prone policy

Office of Policy Development
Angie Logan
717-772-4141
anglogan@state.pa.us

Downloads

• Strategies and Practices to Eliminate the Use of UnnecessaryRestraints
• Prone Restraints in Children's Facilities
• ACT Core Competencies

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Angie Logan
Executive Policy Specialist
Office of Policy Development
Department of Public Welfare
332 Health and Welfare Building
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
717-772-4141
Fax: 717-772-2062

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