WHEN KIDS GET
SECLUDED,PADDLED,ARRESTED,SUSPENDED,RESTRAINED,EXPELLED
THEY GET LOST.
98,000
physically restrained or secluded in US schools annually
101,000
expelled from US schools annually
92,000
corporally punished in US schools annually
54,000
arrested in US schools annually
230,000
referred to law enforcement from US schools annually
5 million +
suspended in and out of US schools annually
IF IT’S CLEARLY BROKEN, FIX IT.
IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
We are in the midst of a societal and public health crisis. We are losing our most vulnerable kids, largely due to perspectives that are outdated and counterproductive, and disciplinary practices that are punitive and exclusionary.
With each time-out, detention, suspension, expulsion, paddling, restraint, seclusion, and arrest at school, there are children who aren’t getting the help they need and are being pushed away from caregivers who could instead be helping them.
The cost to all of us is profound. Overwhelmed, discouraged educators. Frustrated, desperate parents. Expensive placements. Disenfranchised, marginalized, alienated kids. A pipeline to prison.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
COMPASSION IS WITHIN OUR REACH
Doing things differently requires a major paradigm shift for many caregivers. Kids with concerning behaviors aren’t lacking motivation, they’re lacking skills, especially those related to flexibility, adaptability, emotion regulation, frustration tolerance, and problem solving. They aren’t attention-seeking, manipulative, coercive, or unmotivated. They don’t need more time-outs, detentions, suspensions, expulsions, paddling, restraints, seclusions, or police referrals. Those interventions just push them out and away. They do need adults who know how to collaborate with them on solving the problems that are causing their concerning behaviors.
That’s why we’re here. Lives in the Balance advocates for our most vulnerable kids, and helps caregivers see them through more accurate, productive lenses and intervene in evidence-based ways that are collaborative, proactive, non-punitive, non-exclusionary, and effective. Our free resources, trainings, and outreach and advocacy efforts are driving the paradigm shift all over the world.
We invite you to become part of the effort.
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Our lens-changing and life-changing work to ensure that kids are treated in ways that are compassionate and effective — and to end the use of harsh, punitive, exclusionary discipline — is made possible by the generosity of our donors. Your donation is much-needed and much-appreciated.
