The Georgia State Board of Education passed Rule 160-5-1-.35 Seclusion and Restraint for All Students, which governs the use of seclusion, mechanical restraint, physical restraint, and chemical restraint. 

The rule requires that:

• All schools or programs that utilize physical restraint must be trained in physical restraint
• All schools or programs that utilize physical restraint develop a written policy to govern its use

In addition to Georgia’s restraint rules, we are providing a link to an administrative decision issued by the Georgia Board of Education.  Should a teacher, staff or student be placed in imminent danger and need to resort to an intervention not in the Georgia rule and then have his/her job threatened, there is a Georgia Board of Education administrative decision that supports their actions and prohibits administrative ramifications.  See Dixon v. Fulton County Board of Education, Case No. 2008-15 (holding: teachers are allowed to use reasonable force to protect themselves from bodily harm even if the intervention is not included in the school’s policy ).

Handle With Care provides training that meets Georgia’s requirements on restraint and seclusion.

HWC provides training to schools across the country and Georgia in behavior management, behavioral supports and least restrictive intervention training through our basic and “train-the-trainer” Instructor Certification Program. 

HWC’s program includes training in standing, seated and face-up restraint.  We also have an early childhood and elementary school program and an outstanding verbal program for de-escalation, behavioral supports and behavior management.

See HWC’s schedule for training in Georgia. We also provide on-site training.

For additional information about HWC training contact us at info@handlewithcare.com or Joy at 845-255-4031.