Chapter 33: Rule Governing Physical Restraint and Seclusion establishes standards and procedures for the use of physical restraint and seclusion of students in schools and other covered entities.  The rule limits the use of such interventions to emergency situations, and requires that they be performed by trained staff to the greatest possible extent.  Chapter 33 also requires schools and other covered entities to “ensure that a sufficient number of administrators or designees, general and special education staff, maintain certification in an approved training program.”  

The Maine DOE is required to maintain a directory of approved training programs on its website at http://www.maine.gov/doe.  This list of approved training programs may include regional training programs and regional “train the trainer” model programs.  

This document describes the approval process for training programs. 

A restraint and seclusion training program seeking to be included in the Maine DOE’s directory of approved training programs must submit a description of the following components that will require participants to demonstrate competency to achieve certification (from Section 12 of Chapter 33):
1.	The use of non-physical interventions for responding to potentially dangerous behaviors, including de-escalation and the use of positive alternatives;
2.	Identification of dangerous behaviors that may indicate the need for physical restraint or seclusion and methods for evaluating the risk of harm to determine whether such interventions are warranted;
3.	Instruction and simulated experience in administering safe physical restraint techniques across a range of increasingly restrictive interventions, including the safe movement of a student, and in recognizing and avoiding positions involving a high risk of restraint-related positional asphyxia (restricting a student’s ability to breathe);
4.	The effects of physical restraint and seclusion on a student, including monitoring physical and psychological signs of distress and when to obtain medical assistance in compliance with the covered entity’s procedures for emergency interventions;
5.	The risks and realities of physical restraint and seclusion; and
6.	A review of the process of student and staff debriefing.

If Chapter 33 is amended to require additional, or different, training elements, the Maine DOE will require approved programs to provide updated evidence that it is covering the necessary elements. 
Approval of a program does not indicate an endorsement of the program by the Department.  

If you are seeking Maine DOE approval of a training program under Chapter 33, please submit the information described above, with a cover letter that includes contact information for a person responsible for the program to:  

Sarah Adkins, Student Assistance Coordinator
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station, Augusta  ME 04333

If you have questions, please contact sarah.adkins@maine.gov or by calling 624-6685.