From: Pruitt, Stephen - Commissioner, KY Dept. of Education Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2016 4:12 PM To: All State Supt Subject: 704 KAR 7:160, Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion in Public Schools; Prohibition of Aikido Control Training (ACT); need reply by Tuesday, Aug. 9 Importance: High Dear Superintendents, 704 KAR 7:160, Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion in Public Schools, seeks to protect the integrity of our school systems by ensuring the safety and welfare of every child, and every staff member. With the adoption of the regulation in 2013, new training requirements were defined while some previous training methods were disallowed. The regulation specifically outlines that a physical restraint shall not impose any of the following on any student at any time: Section 3. (1) … (2) School personnel shall not impose the following on any student at any time: (a) Mechanical restraint; (b) Chemical restraint; (c) Aversive behavioral interventions; (d) Physical restraint that is life-threatening; (e) Prone or supine restraint; or (f) Physical restraint if they know that physical restraint is contraindicated based on the student’s disability, health care needs, or medical or psychiatric condition. (Emphasis added.) It has come to my attention that some school districts in our Commonwealth continue to train school personnel in techniques that involve prone or supine restraint. Not only are such physical restraints in direct violation of 704 KAR 7:160, they place our children in harm’s way. We must do all we can to ensure that our children are treated with the highest level of dignity, respect, and care. Effective immediately, all districts with Core Teams trained to utilize prone or supine restraint either internally or through any outside vendors including, but not limited to: Aikido Control Training (ACT), 100 Lewis Dr., Richmond, KY, shall prohibit Core Teams from involvement in physical restraint in any manner until Core Team members are trained through an alternate training source to use techniques which comply with 704 KAR 7:160. Any alternate training will be at the expense of the local district. In addition, you are required to submit to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) the following items: current physical restraint training vendor(s) used by your district, physical restraint training Certified Instructor(s) contact information, and current district policy regarding use of physical restraint and seclusion. These items should be sent via e-mail to the program manager listed below no later than Tuesday, August 9. The Kentucky Department of Education does not endorse vendors. However, KDE staff are available to assist you in determining if the vendor you select is appropriate for use based on the requirements set forth in 704 KAR 7:160. You can reach the Restraint and Seclusion Program Manager, Robert Meacham, by e-mail or phone atrobert.meacham@education.ky.gov or 502-564-4970, ext. 4112. Stephen L. Pruitt, Ph.D. Commissioner of Education Kentucky Department of Education 500 Mero Street, CPT, First Floor Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 502-564-3141, ext. 4806 stephen.pruitt@education.ky.gov