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 Connecticut
and Michigan Will Help Develop Alternatives To Restraint
by Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily
Press, December 12, 2003
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HARTFORD,
CONNECTICUT--Three years ago, the Hartford Courant ran an
investigative series into the restraint-related deaths of adults
and children -- as young as 6 years of age -- in institutions
housing people with mental illness and developmental
disabilities. The team of reporters found that 142 such deaths
occurred nationwide during the previous 10 years.
The investigation was prompted by the death of 11-year-old
Andrew McClain, who died while being restrained face down at
Connecticut's Elmhurst Hospital in March of 1998.
Now, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has chosen
the states of Connecticut, Alabama, California, Michigan and
Georgia to develop a training curriculum over the next three
years to teach staff how to de-escalate situations that
typically lead to restraints. Officials say the project will
focus on developing alternatives to restraint, and will likely
emphasize problem-solving and listening skills.
Connecticut Department of Children and Families Commissioner
Kristine D. Ragaglia told the Courant this week that the fact
that her state was chosen shows the significant improvements the
state has made in avoiding the use of restraints since McClain's
death.
The Hartford Courant's investigative report ran in October of
1998. The series, including a national restraint-death database,
is still available on their website: "DEADLY RESTRAINT"
From:
Inclusion Daily
Express
http://www.InclusionDaily.com
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Dave Reynolds, Editor
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