NYSUT Health and Safety Conference
March 1 & 2, 2019
Saratoga Springs, NY
EPEA Attendees: Lisa Garvey and Julie Murray, RN
Lisa and Julie attended the NYSUT Health and Safety Conference. Their registration and conference costs were paid for by the EPEA. They have graciously provided us with a wealth of information based on the sessions they attended.
Synopsis of Sessions Attended by Lisa G.
The workshops I chose carried a common thread…working with students who are in crisis, whether trauma-based, emotional, or physical in nature. Given the current climate in several of our classrooms at E1B and throughout the state, educators are often feeling inadequate to work with students whose mental health and personal issues exceed anything we’ve encountered before.
Keeping Everyone Safe: Coping with and De-escalating Physical Crisis Situations
Dr. Donna Riter, Behavioral/Educational Consultant
www.dr-donna-riter.com
Dr. Riter was masterful at recognizing the increased volatility and aggression currently shown in school-aged populations. Her presentation primarily focused on recognizing a student’s rapid (or slow) escalation in emotional state. She shared relevant, but non-threatening questioning techniques, and subsequent verbal techniques to de-escalate potentially aggressive and/or unsafe behaviors.
Health, Safety and Working with Students with Difficult Behaviors
Wendy Hord, NYSUT Health and Safety Specialist
David Rothfuss, NYSUT Research and Educational Services
This session focused largely on safe working practices with students who show aggressive and/or difficult behaviors. Ms. Hord and Mr. Rothfuss shared information about reporting physically harmful incidents that involve injury to the student or to staff. Other talking points included the IIR form (Individual Incident Report, formerly VADIR), NYSED’s Incident Reduction Plan, and the SSEC (School Safety and Educational Climate data, Worker’s Compensation issues, the importance of well-implemented District AND Building Safety Teams, and the discretionary use of physical restraint with students.
Trauma and Mental Health
Margaret Sargent, NYSUT Health and Safety Advisory Committee
Ms. Sargent, from the NYSUT Health and Safety Advisory Committee, addressed trauma and stressors with our students and the connection to mental health. In several small group discussions, participants worked through identifying ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and how educational professionals might address these with the student and with the help of support staff. Topics included resiliency in children, “fight, flight, or freeze” responses, polyvictimization, and the movement of community schools (especially in the Rochester area).
Submitted by
Lisa Garvey
Northtowns Academy/CPC-DTC
Grateful member of the EPEA/26 years!
Session Websites and Corresponding Handouts (available upon request)
Some of the handouts are very informative, interesting, and RELEVANT! Please feel free to email me if you would like a copy of any of the handouts, PowerPoints, or notes for any of the sessions described below.
Keeping Everyone Safe: Coping with and De-escalating Physical Crisis Situations
Dr. Donna Riter, Behavioral/Educational Consultant
www.dr-donna-riter.com
Health, Safety and Working with Students with Difficult Behaviors
Wendy Hord, NYSUT Health and Safety Specialist David Rothfuss,
NYSUT Research and Educational Services
www.nysut.org
Office of Special Education
www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/
Special Education Quality Assurance Office www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/quality/regassoc.htm
“Individual Incident Report (IIR) Form” (the new VADIR report form for violent or disruptive incidents) “Suggested Elements in a District Physical Restraint Policy”
Trauma and Mental Health
Margaret Sargent, NYSUT Health and Safety Advisory Committee
www.changingmindsnow.org
www.futureswithoutviolence.org
www.youtube.com (“All That we Share”, “Through our Eyes”, “Just Breathe”, and Toxic Stress Derails Healthy Brain Development”)
“Promising Futures: Promoting Resiliency”
“What are Adverse Childhood Experiences” (ACEs)
“Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: Middle School Students”
“Trauma-Informed Crisis Response: 20 Tips to Help De-escalate Interactions with Anxious or Defiant Students” (AFT)
“Tips for Talking with and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic
Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers” (http:/store.samhsa.gov)
“Identify Your School Triggers” (www.Do2Learn.com)
“School Personnel Can Help Students Heal from Trauma” (ChangingMindsNow.org)