Winchester, VA, November 5, 2014 –Autism Speaks, Capital Area Chapter awards Grafton Integrated Health Network a $5,000 grant for its program entitled, A Crisis Management Tool for Families and Educators to minimize the use of restraints and seclusion, which includes the Ukeru intervention.
In 2009, Autism Speaks endorsed the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act. If this act had been passed, it would have put federal standards in place to protect students from misuse of restraint and seclusion. In the absence of these standards, Grafton developed Ukeru, a patented crisis management tool that has minimized the use of restraint and seclusion within the organization.
“It is quite an honor to have Autism Speaks recognize the critical importance of this project that will benefit over 200 families impacted by Autism. We are thrilled with this opportunity and look forward to teaching parents, educators and others alternative ways to support those in distress”, said Jim Gaynor, CEO/President.
Since 2012, Grafton has provided training and consultation to national and international organizations on minimizing the use of restraint, seclusion and other coercive interventions. Grafton is committed to providing support and resources to families, communities and individuals impacted by Autism and we envision being the catalyst for changing how the behaviors of individuals with autism are addressed.
“We are proud to support and collaborate with our friends at Grafton on this important initiative,” said Marley Rave, Executive Director of Autism Speaks National Capital Area. “Their innovative crisis management methods will help better understand the intent behind aggression and teach alternative replacement behaviors. This is an area that is often overlooked which is why we are confident that this project will help those individuals with autism as well as their families.”
The crisis management tool can be implemented in public school settings as well as in the home to assist individuals with seizures and unpredictable behaviors (aggression, property destruction and self-injury). The most notable positive outcome as a result of this training offered by Grafton is a significant reduction in restraints. There are however, other sustainable outcomes for individuals, teachers and parents as a result of this training including:
- Reduced problematic behaviors
- Reduced injuries
- Increased learning and positive behaviors
- Inclusion in mainstream classrooms
- Significant fiscal savings for public schools systems
About Grafton Integrated Health Network
Grafton Integrated Health Network (GIHN) is a private, nonprofit organization that has served children, adolescents and adults with disabilities and significant emotional and/or behavioral challenges for more than 50 years. As an industry leader in behavioral healthcare, we empower vulnerable and high-risk populations to lead better, more independent lives. Using a client-centered medical home model, Grafton provides continuous and coordinated services from short-term stabilization and residential services to outpatient to educational and career and technical training. These programs along with a data-driven, trauma-informed model help the organization to develop successful plans of care and clients to thrive in a variety of settings.
Grafton provides a continuum of services to children, youth and adults including applied behavior analysis, early intervention, psychiatric residential treatment facilities, a short-term stabilization program, special education programs, community-based group homes, intensive outpatient program and outpatient services.
For more information on Grafton Integrated Health Network’s services and expertise, please visit www.grafton.org.
Contact:
Shweta Adyanthaya
Director, Communications
Tel: 540-542-0200 ext 7260
sadyanthaya@grafton.org.
