The School Board of Clay County is required to provide a free and appropriate education to all exceptional student education (ESE) students. There are times that a student in a crisis situation must be physically managed for the protection of the student and others. In these crisis situations, where the student or others are in imminent danger, staff must have the requisite training to safely restrain and deescalate the student. Safe Crisis Management, by JKM Training, Inc. is the comprehensive, trauma-sensitive approach utilized in Clay County.

Currently, school personnel must at times physically intervene with students in crisis for the safety of the student and others. This sometimes requires physical restraint. The Safe Crisis Management training program has as its fundamental purpose the prevention and safe resolution of explosive behavior. Safe Crisis Management training provides staff with a capacity to prevent or safely respond to dangerous situations.

Training of personnel is required under state law. Typically, only school personnel serving students in the most restrictive settings are trained in this methodology. Safe Crisis Management is a comprehensive training program focused on preventing and managing crisis events and improving safety. Safe Crisis Management uses a trauma-sensitive approach with emphasis on building positive relationships. This training is required for some instructional personnel and paraprofessionals. The training provides a comprehensive continuum of prevention, de-escalation and safe emergency intervention strategies for responding to aggressive behavior. Safe Crisis Management promotes safety and reduces potential liability.

Safe Crisis Management has been used in Clay County since 1983. Other methodologies have been reviewed and Safe Crisis Management continues to be the preferred option for crisis intervention. The attached chart shows the consistent downward trend of the restraints and seclusion incidents over the past several years under Safe Crisis Management. There is a continued focus on reducing incidents of restraint. Further reduction can be achieved with continued instruction of de-escalation strategies through the Safe Crisis Management Program.

That the Clay County School Board approve using Safe Crisis Management as the approved methodology for the purpose of prevention and safe  resolution of explosive behavior.

Goal 3: Establish a respectful climate and culture that provides equity and access to all.

Strategy 1.3: Engage stakeholders to strengthen and build a collaborative and constructive environment that encourages high expectations for all.

Continue training ESE staff using the Safe Crisis Management training program for 2022-2023