New Prague Area School District Restrictive
Procedures Plan
The New Prague Area School District has developed a comprehensive plan for the use of restrictive procedures in accordance with Minnesota Statutes. This plan outlines the district's commitment to promoting positive behavioral interventions while ensuring the safety of students and staff in emergency situations. The plan details the specific procedures, training requirements, and oversight mechanisms in place to govern the use of restrictive procedures within the district.

by Amy Waldspurger

Legal Framework and Definitions

1

Minnesota Statute 125A.094
Requires schools to maintain and make publicly accessible a restrictive procedures plan, including the list of procedures, monitoring and review processes, and staff training documentation.

2

Minnesota Statute 125A.0941
Defines "physical holding" as physical intervention intended to hold a child immobile or limit movement, excluding certain types of physical contact.

3

Minnesota Statute 125A.0942
Outlines the requirements for using physical holding or seclusion, including emergency use only, least intrusive intervention, and documentation procedures.
Training and Authorized Staff

1

Annual CPI Training
Special Education Staff, Administration, and Transportation Staff participate in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI) training annually to learn de-escalation techniques and safe crisis response.

2

Authorized Personnel
Only trained staff including licensed special education teachers, school social workers, psychologists, behavior analysts, paraprofessionals, and mental health professionals may use restrictive procedures.

3

CPI Philosophy
The training emphasizes ensuring the Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security of all individuals involved in a crisis situation.
Emergency Situations
and Use of Restrictive Procedures
Definition of Emergency
An emergency is a situation where immediate intervention is needed to protect a child or others from physical injury.
Least Intrusive Intervention
Restrictive procedures must be the least intrusive effective intervention and used only as a last resort.
Duration of Use
Physical holding or seclusion must end when the threat of harm ends and the child can safely return to activities.
Documentation Requirements
Staff must document each use of restrictive procedures, including incident description, reasons for use, duration, and child's status.
Documentation and Reporting Procedures

1

Incident Documentation
Staff must complete the Restrictive Procedures Reporting Form within 24 hours of an incident.

2

Form Distribution
Completed forms are sent to the Director/Supervisor of Special Education, building principal, and placed in the student's file.

3

Parent Notification
Parents must be notified the same day a restrictive procedure is used, with written notice within two days if same-day contact is not possible.

4

Team Meeting
If restrictive procedures are used twice in 30 days, a team meeting must be held to review and potentially revise the student's plan.
Post-Use Debriefings and Oversight
24-Hour Debriefing
Staff involved in the use of restrictive procedures must conduct a post-use debriefing within 24 hours. This process reviews the appropriateness of the procedure, ensures correct form completion, and allows staff to discuss their feelings about the incident.
Debriefing Leadership
The School Social Worker typically leads the debriefing meeting, with an administrator invited to attend when possible. All team members involved in the restrictive procedure should participate in the debriefing process.
District-Wide Oversight
A District-Wide Restrictive Procedures & Oversight Team meets three times per school year to evaluate and review the district-wide plan and reported uses of restrictive procedures.
Inclusion in IEPs and Behavior Intervention Plans
1
Functional Behavioral Assessment
Ensure a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) has been completed to inform the Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).
2
Positive Supports
Include positive behavior supports, de-escalation procedures, and preventative measures in the BIP.
3
Justification
Document which restrictive procedure is being included and why it is the least restrictive effective intervention.
4
Criteria and Notification
Specify criteria for returning students to regular activities and how parents will be notified of procedure use.
Commitment to Positive Interventions
The New Prague Area School District is committed to using positive behavioral interventions and supports as defined in Minnesota Statute #125A.0941 (d). This approach focuses on proactively incorporating environmental changes and skill-building strategies to maintain a supportive and safe learning environment. Restrictive procedures are used only as a last resort in emergency situations when lesser interventions have proven ineffective.
The district's comprehensive plan, staff training, and oversight mechanisms all work together to ensure that student safety and dignity are maintained while providing the necessary support for all students to succeed in their educational environment.
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