Ukeru Ensures Comfort Over Control By Eliminating Coercive Discipline Techniques
Winchester, VA: The Mississippi Department of Education has approved Ukeru Systems as a preferred provider option for “Restraint Training” in schools statewide. Ukeru is the nation’s first crisis training program that works to minimize and, where possible, eliminate the use of restraint and seclusion as behavioral management techniques.
“Our whole philosophy is training teachers NOT to restrain children, but rather provide them with the tools to keep themselves and their class safe without the use of ineffective and traumatic discipline techniques,” stated Kim Sanders, President of Ukeru Systems. “Traditionally, teachers are trained that, if verbal de-escalation doesn’t work instantly to manage disruptive behaviors, children should be restrained or secluded. Though this is far from ideal, educators aren’t offered any alternative techniques.”
The addition of Ukeru as a viable option is a win for children in Mississippi, especially those with special needs, who represent a disproportionate number of the 266,000 children restrained annually in public schools. It also falls in line with last year’s new guidance from the Mississippi Department of Education directing the implementation of a discipline system that focuses on reinforcing positive behavior, instead of relying on punitive measures. Research indicates using these techniques in an attempt to make the classroom safer is misguided. Reducing and preventing restraint and seclusion can lead to better outcomes for both teachers and students.
“Ukeru’s crisis management technique is rooted in the belief that the use of physical restraints is not only unnecessary, but also unproductive and that all intervention — educational and behavioral — should be built on an approach of comfort versus control,” said Sanders.
Ukeru Systems, is a division of Grafton Integrated Health Network, a US-based organization serving children and adults with autism and co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses. Ten years ago, Grafton issued a mandate to eliminate seclusions and restraints without compromising employee or client safety. Since that time, Grafton has reduced the use of restraints by more than 99 percent and has eliminated seclusion, while also reducing workers’ compensation policy costs and employee turnover. Most importantly, it significantly reduced the number of injuries to both clients and those who care for them.
Due to their success, Grafton has created Ukeru Systems, the first crisis training program to completely eliminate the use of restraints and seclusion and is now in many states across the country.
