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livesinthebalance.bsky.social
“If all we’re doing is teaching schools to deescalate & restrain kids, this problem will be around forever,” said Dr. Ross Greene.

Maine just rolled back regulations on restraint & seclusion.

Read more here, featuring LITB! wgme.com/news/i-team/...

#changethispicture
Maine teachers regain authority to remove students per restraint and seclusion rules
When a student starts to get out of hand in class this school year, teachers in Maine have more authority to remove them.
wgme.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:17 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
The findings, compiled in three newly released briefs underscore the urgent need for systemic reform in youth justice practices nationwide. #ChangeThisPicture

@sentencingproject.bsky.social

www.sentencingproject.org/press-releas...
New Data Exposes Deepening Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Youth Justice System Nationwide – The Sentencing Project
Black, Latino, and Tribal youth face alarming rates of confinement as youth incarceration rises for the second year.
www.sentencingproject.org
August 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
sfedalliance.bsky.social
Black students with disabilities need SUPPORT, not suspension!

#ChangeThisPicture
August 5, 2025 at 11:58 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
Black students with disabilities face 3/4 of harsh school suspensions. And, Diagnoses like ODD become a backdoor to exclusion. #ChangeThisPicture

Partnership, not punishment. @edsource.org

edsource.org/2025/there-a...
COMMENTARY: There are no bad kids: How educators can protect students against harmful diagnoses
As a child psychiatrist, I’ve seen how often Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous children are unfairly mislabeled and misunderstood. One diagnosis keeps showing up in ways that harm these children: opposi...
edsource.org
July 7, 2025 at 5:49 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
MICHIGAN- The investigation revealed that restraint and seclusion were used as a punishment for normal classroom issues.

Parents expect that the schools they entrust with their children do not instead punish their children for having a disability. #ChangeThisPicture

www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justi...
Justice Department Secures Agreement Reforming Michigan School District’s Seclusion and Restraint Practices
Today, the Justice Department announced that it reached an agreement with a Michigan school district to address the discriminatory use of seclusion and restraint against students with disabilities, in...
www.justice.gov
July 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
Cheers to Oklahoma! 🌹

A bill to ban corporal punishment of students with disabilities has finally made it to the Governor's desk.

House✅
Senate✅

Oklahomans - Tell Governor Stitt to sign SB 364 into law at our Action Center!

Hitting isn't helping kids! #changethispicture

▶️ bit.ly/3uSAktc
TAKE ACTION – LIVES IN THE BALANCE
bit.ly
May 2, 2025 at 4:50 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
Krystal Emerson’s son was restrained or secluded at least 18 times in 7 months—in 2nd grade.

Now, Maine lawmakers are considering rolling back protections.

Her message: “It broke me. It broke him.”

#ChangeThisPicture

mainemorningstar.com/2025/04/24/p...
Proposed rollback of restraint and seclusion rules pits staff safety against student rights • Maine Morning Star
When he was in second grade, Krystal Emerson’s son was physically restrained by a staff member or put in a small, isolated room at least 18 times over seven months during the 2023-24 school year at El...
mainemorningstar.com
April 24, 2025 at 11:52 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
"Before the law was passed, schools would sometimes drag students to seclusion rooms without classifying the action as a restraint."

- (our own) Ben Jones, Director of Legal and Policy Initiatives at Lives in the Balance

#ChangeThisPicture with us www.livesinthebalance.org
April 24, 2025 at 10:28 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
In 2021, Maine ranked worst for student restraint and held the country's second-highest rate of seclusion.

Then, reform limited R&S.

Now, that progress is at risk.

If we only look to crisis management, we’ll keep repeating history. #ChangeThisPicture

mainemorningstar.com/2025/04/23/l...
Legislation would make it easier to restrain and forcibly move Maine students • Maine Morning Star
Driven by increasing reports of misbehavior, some Maine teachers and administrators want to make it easier for staff to physically restrain students.
mainemorningstar.com
April 24, 2025 at 10:13 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
We're proud to stand with the ECRA to demand action that protects our most vulnerable students. @youthlaw.bsky.social

#ChangeThisPicture

Read more: youthlaw.org/news/educati...
A graphic by Lives in the Balance shows an empty classroom with rows of desks and a projector screen. Text beside the image reads: "We won’t relent. As the federal government rolls back key civil rights protections for students, state leaders must step up. As a member organization of the Education Civil Rights Alliance, we urge governors and education officials to protect students—especially those most vulnerable—from discrimination and harmful practices." The Lives in the Balance logo and social media handle (@LivesInTheBalance) are at the bottom.
March 28, 2025 at 2:34 AM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
Loudoun County Public Schools has officially BANNED seclusion! Thanks to the champions for kids in Virginia who made this happen. ✊ @againstrestraint.com

We were proud to share our work in nearby Fairfax County- seclusion is simply unnecessary and kids deserve better! #ChangeThisPicture
February 26, 2025 at 11:29 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
🚨 Oklahoma Action Alert! 🚨

S.B. 364 just passed out of committee!

Let's ban corporal punishment for public school students with disabilities!

Oklahoma residents, help us #ChangeThisPicture by telling your reps to back the bill today!

🔗 livesinthebalance.org/take-action/
A screen shot of the LITB Take Action Center page for SB 364, a bill that prohibits public school staff from corporally punishing (hitting) students with disabilities.
February 14, 2025 at 9:30 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
800 people have filed complaints against juvenile detention centers in Illinois, alleging they were sexually abused by employees.

"This system was nothing more than a pipeline for suffering." #ChangeThisPicture

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNE8...

Read: apnews.com/article/laws...
Illinois juvenile detention abuse allegations: Hundreds of more lawsuits filed
YouTube video by FOX 32 Chicago
www.youtube.com
February 14, 2025 at 9:01 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
Over 3 years, 98% of the 3K students restrained/secluded had disabilities. One child was secluded 99 times. Black students faced discriminatory discipline.

Regulations help, but we believe in intervention before the heat of the moment. #ChangeThisPicture

www.kansas.com/news/local/e...
Wichita schools change restraint, seclusion policy for students. Why, what it means
Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice found that disabled and Black students were disproportionately punished from 2020-2023.
www.kansas.com
February 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
Kids in youth detention face abuse & unintended solitary confinement—sometimes without staff available to walk them to a bathroom. @nbcnews.com

This isn’t rehabilitation. It’s harm. #ChangeThisPicture

Content Advisory: this is hard to watch- includes restraint.

www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news...
Growing crisis at youth detention centers nationwide
NBC News investigates a growing crisis at youth detention centers across the country. Many are understaffed, putting the guards and those in custody at risk. NBC News' Steve Patterson reports.
www.nbcnews.com
February 10, 2025 at 10:10 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
Research shows that punitive, exclusionary discipline is harmful & counterproductive. #ChangeThisPicture

We’re fighting for change with active bills that target suspension, seclusion, & corporal punishment in MA, AK, MO, TX, IN, & NY.

Take Action Now!

livesinthebalance.org/take-action/
Grayscale photo of top of the US Capitol Building. Bold, white text in all caps reads "PUNITIVE, EXCLUSIONARY DISCIPLINE IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE, HARMFUL, AND UNNECESSARY." In the top right corner of the photo, in blue text with a light green background there is also text that reads "#HurtingIsNotHelping."
February 7, 2025 at 6:49 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
Imagine being 10, struggling with frustration at school—held down, arms and legs restrained by adults. You don't understand why.

Harmful restraint & seclusion practices must end. We stand with Sarah Egan and are proud to partner in advocacy.

#ChangeThisPicture

ctnewsjunkie.com/2025/01/24/o...
Opinion | It's Time To End Restraint And Seclusion In Schools | CT News Junkie
Guest columnists Sarah Eagan and Ilana Ofgang of the Center for Children's Advocacy say the continued use of restraint and seclusion by Connecticut schools is inconsistent with the goal of ensuring "e...
ctnewsjunkie.com
February 6, 2025 at 9:26 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
Sen. Tuberville’s comment about treating ADHD with “the belt” is drawing ire from those living with the condition.

Research shows corporal punishment to be ineffective & harmful to kids’ mental health.

#ChangeThisPicture

www.additudemag.com/rfk-hearing-tommy-tuberville-adhd-physical-discipline/
“ADHD Is an Actual Condition. You Can’t Beat It Out of a Child.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville’s recent comment about treating ADHD with “the belt” is drawing ire from those living with the condition. Research has found spanking and other forms of corporal punishment to...
www.additudemag.com
February 6, 2025 at 12:18 AM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
“I have lost faith in the review of the guidelines and am extremely concerned about the delay and lack of progress...,” -Ms Gillespie, whose daughter was left with PTSD after being restrained 158 times. @icarszoey.bsky.social @icarsbecky.bsky.social

#ChangeThisPicture

inews.co.uk/news/educati...
Pupils traumatised by restraint in schools failed by 'wishy washy' guidance
Campaigners have 'lost faith' with DfE after revised teacher guidelines are hit by years of delay, false starts and a suggestion that restraint in schools is 'rare'
inews.co.uk
January 6, 2025 at 10:58 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
North Carolina: District reps argue that SROs enhance student safety. But some parents are pushing for alternatives, asserting that students of color and those with disabilities are lost to the school-to-prison pipeline. @indyweek.bsky.social

#ChangeThisPicture

indyweek.com/news/wake/wa...
Wake County Employs SROs in 80 Schools; Some Parents and Civil Rights Advocates Say Their Presence Harms and Criminalizes Students
Wake County employs SROs in 80 schools; some parents and civil rights advocates say their presence harms and criminalizes students.
indyweek.com
January 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
LA is one of many places across the country to backtrack on youth justice reforms in recent months, following a broader pattern of backlash against changes designed to make criminal justice less punitive. @themarshallproject.org

#ChangeThisPicture

youthtoday.org/2025/01/yout...
While youth detention numbers rise, states begin to roll back reforms
States are backtracking on youth justice reforms, following a broader pattern of backlash against efforts to make a less punitive justice system.
youthtoday.org
January 3, 2025 at 10:54 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
“In many of the cases we have documented restraints are prolonged, repeated, deeply traumatic and cause significant physical and psychological harm to disabled children."

This is a must-read article about restraint in UK schools.

#ChangeThisPicture
January 3, 2025 at 9:46 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
SICAA is ONE signature away! 🎉

The House voted to protect vulnerable kids in treatment facilities! This is critical for holding the Troubled Teen Industry accountable. #ChangeThisPicture

Our amazing advocators—thank you for sending hundreds of emails to Congress!

www.cbsnews.com/news/paris-h...
Paris Hilton's bill to protect minors at residential treatment facilities heads to president's desk
The 43-year-old heiress and actor has testified about her own experience as a teenager at treatment facilities.
www.cbsnews.com
December 18, 2024 at 10:38 PM
livesinthebalance.bsky.social
IRELAND- Published guidelines to limit the use of restraint and seclusion are facing scrutiny.

"We have heard from children who have been dragged across school floors, physically held against their will, and locked in rooms alone."

#ChangeThisPicture

www.rte.ie/news/educati...
Seclusion guidelines 'fall drastically short' - charity
A second disability charity has strongly criticised guidelines to ban or limit the use of restraint and seclusion for children in schools.
www.rte.ie
December 14, 2024 at 12:21 AM