It is important that each staff have an appropriate developmental approach for the children in care. Staff must encourage and support the youth for the use of self-control.
Staff must read all the youth files to better understand the developmentally history of each child. This will give you a better understanding of what your expectations of each child’s behavior should be.
Staff should understand and be able to enforce the agency’s consequence policy for inappropriate behavior of the children. Staff must fill out a case note describing the child’s behavior and the reasoning of a status change.
Physical restraint and restrictive techniques will follow the guidelines of your CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) training. Restraints should only be made if it is safe to restrain without harming yourself, observing youth, and the youth involved with the incident. The determination of using a restraint is if a youth is out of control and harming himself or another youth. If a restraint is made on a youth, staff must file an “Unusual Incident Report” and send to the corporate administration team for review. A total internal investigation will take place to assure the proper steps and maneuvers were taken. A report of the investigation will be filed into the staff personnel folder. Any behavior management techniques that involve hurting or injuring a youth is NOT permitted by Better Together Mesa. If staff should perform any physical maneuvers to purposely harm a youth instead of restrain, that staff will be taken off the schedule immediately and job retention will be up for review upon the internal investigation.
Staff may only perform the use of mechanical restraints if they have completed CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) course. A blue card must be provided and not expired.
PURPOSE:
This Policy and Procedure is to provide guidelines and instructions for encouraging and supporting self-control and establishing consequences for the youth who violates the rules and regulations.
POLICY:
As noted, Better Together Mesa Exhibits a “Hands Off” Policy, reserving “physical restraints” as a means to deter physical harm or damages only. All physical restraints must be documented in restraints log and review by administrative staff to evaluate if restraining was properly applied and warranted. We are a "Hands Off" agency with the exception of the following: A. Youth causing bodily harm to self or others; destruction of property.
B. Better Together Mesa staff is to attempt to verbally de-escalate all negative behaviors keeping the safety of the Youth and others in mind at all times. C. Youth are not permitted to punish another youth.
PROCEDURES:
A. Outbursts / Aggressive Behavior
1. Evaluate the extent of the behavior and attempt to initiate a calm conversation.
2. When a youth is verbally aggressive and the behavior is escalating, remove all other youth from the area if possible.
3. Allow the youth to express his/her feelings, while maintaining control of the situation.
4. Avoid confronting stances or aggressive body movements.
5. In the event a situation becomes out of control; phone supervisor for assistance.
B. Physical Altercations
1. Separate youths involved and call for assistance if necessary.
2. Physical altercations with the use of a weapon must be reported to management and the police. Agency will press charges if there is bodily harm on one youth by another.
3. An out of control youth may be restrained utilizing crisis intervention techniques.
4. All physical restraints must be logged in the Physical Restraint Log Book.
C. Behavioral Maintenance
1. All youths are rewarded or disciplined through a level system.
2. Privileges or consequences are associated with each level.
i. EXAMPLE: Critical is a consequence which may be given for negative behaviors.
1. Fighting = 1 week critical or more if circumstance is severe.
2. Verbal abuse = 2 to 3 days.
3. Smoking = 3 days with a referral to a non-smoking class.
4. Illegal substance = 2 weeks.
ii. Restrictions consist of early bedtime, no phone privileges (EXCEPTION Case worker or Probation Officer) no TV or stereo and loss of pass privileges.
3. Positive levels carry privileges (such as) age appropriate passes, special outings, extended bedtime, etc..
D. Positive Reinforcements
1. Positive behavior is rewarded at all times.
2. School grades: $4.00 for A's and $3.00 for B's
3. House Captain: Additional funds as approved.
4. Compliant Behavior: Movie passes or video game tokens.
E. Staff is instructed to compliment youth’s accomplishments. Negative behavior is always addressed; therefore the Policy of “CATCH HIM/HER DOING SOMETHING GOOD” is encouraged of staff.
1. To enhance good character in youth. (Asher Philosophy)
2. Proper character building can prevent or intervene in any crisis situation.
3. Utilize the least restrictive means of non-physical interaction.
4. Praise character versus achievements.
F. Addition by Subtraction.
1. Attempt to help youth rid them of negative behaviors by acquiring positive behaviors.