A LOT of people aren’t aware of the archaic, counterproductive practices still being applied to kids

That needs to change…and you can help.


A LOT of people aren’t aware of the archaic, counter-productive practices still being applied to kids

That needs to change…and you can help.

The Kids We Lose Exposes the Brutal Reality

One component of our public awareness efforts is our award-winning feature-length documentary film, The Kids We Lose. This film, which has aired on public television in numerous states, exposes the futility and brutality of how our most vulnerable kids are still being treated, makes a clear connection between that treatment and the school-to-prison pipeline, and offers a glimpse of a future without detentions, suspensions, expulsions, restraints, seclusions, and corporal punishment. The trailer for the film is below on the left…the film can be viewed in its entirety below on the right (with English closed captioning available). To view the film with Spanish subtitles, click here. Trigger warning: the film depicts treatment of kids that many find very difficult to watch.

The Kids We Lose film trailer

The Kids We Lose (90-minute documentary film)

Why Are Restraints, Seclusions, Corporal Punishment, and School Arrests So Counterproductive? These Videos and Stories Make it Abundantly Clear

You may not want to watch these videos. They depict the reality and brutality of the archaic, counterproductive, traumatizing practices still being applied to kids by caregivers who may not how to do things differently, and who may even think that what they’re doing is OK.

Restraint

Police officer handcuffs 8-year-old in America

Shocking moment school workers drag autistic boy through hallway

Scots schoolgirl left with horrific injuries after being restrained by teachers in classroom – Daily Record

NJ boy thrown to ground, restrained by teacher

Seclusion

Montreal mother denouncing use of seclusion rooms in schools

School Arrest

9-Year Old Pepper Sprayed by Police

Key West Police arrested an 8-year-old at school. His wrists were too small for the handcuffs – CNN

Body Camera Footage Shows Arrest by Orlando Police of 6-Year-Old at School – The New York Times

Corporal Punishment

Video of School Principal Paddling Child Reignites Punishment Debate

Florida principal caught on camera paddling 6-year-old l GMA

Many Caregivers Aren’t Familiar with Approaches That Will Help Them Do Things Differently…That’s Why We’re Here

If you’re unaware of the harm done by restraint and seclusion, you’ll want to read this…and this. And if you want to move your school or facility away from these practices, the three videos below are worth watching. Restraint and Seclusion in Vermont: Ending the Trauma was filmed and produced by Lives in the Balance in collaboration with All Brains Belong VT, and includes interviews with parents and children who have experienced the trauma of restraint and seclusion, educators who have ended their use of restraint and seclusion, and other caring professionals. Reducing Restraint & Seclusion in Schools:  A Resource for Maine Educators was filmed and produced by Lives in the Balance in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education, and includes not only interviews with educators who have dramatically reduced their use of restraint and seclusion but also instruction on implementing the CPS model in schools. And the third video is a webinar sponsored by Lives in the Balance aimed at helping schools dramatically reduce or eliminate their use of restraint and seclusion.

Need more info? There’s an entire companion website offering tons of additional free resources.

Restraint & Seclusion in Vermont: Ending the Trauma

Reducing Restraint & Seclusion in Schools:  A Resource for Maine Educators

Reducing Restraint and Seclusion: A Webinar from Lives in the Balance

WHERE DOES YOUR STATE RANK WHEN IT COMES TO PUNITIVE/EXCLUSIONARY DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES?

CHECK OUT OUR PUNITIVE INDEX
ARE THE FEDS IN YOUR STATE?

IT’S YOUR STATE AND YOUR KIDS:
RATES OF SELECT PUNITIVE PRACTICES IN EACH STATE

You can download or print out and distribute the sheet for your state to legislators, school board members, superintendents, special education directors, and principals…to make sure they know that things need to change.

Power causes conflict...collaboration brings people together.

- Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.