Click HERE to download a copy of Natura Academy's Special Treatment Policy

When a behavioral and/or emotional disability impacts a student’s ability to function in a classroom setting, staff uses a plethora of strategies to assist students in learning the skills needed for emotional regulation and academic success. Students attending in the school building use a point sheet, which enables the staff to praise expected behaviors while also identifying and defining unexpected behaviors. Ideally, and depending on the student’s level of independence, the point sheets are student-directed. Students are guided through identifying ways in which their behavior affects their functioning in a classroom setting. Alternative behaviors are identified, and students are championed in practicing those replacement behaviors in a supportive environment.

If a student requires a higher level of intervention, he/she is given the opportunity to remove him/herself from the environment in order to re-regulate. If this is ineffective and the behavior continues to disrupt the learning environment/peer group, the student may need a higher level of intervention from the therapist, case manager, or member of the administrative team (Principal, Clinical Director, or Program Director). Natura Academy staff are trained and well versed in crisis prevention and teaching necessary skills to reach a point of emotional regulation. 

If a student’s behavior indicates possible harm to self or others, it may be necessary for staff to engage the student in a therapeutic hold of the student in order to prevent physical harm to self/others. The priorities when engaging in a therapeutic hold include: the dignity of the student, the safety of all students and staff, and for the hold to be as brief and discreet as possible. 

In terms of therapeutic holds, Natura Academy subscribes to the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) guidelines. With that, Natura Academy adheres to Section 1.285 of the Illinois School Code. School administration reviews all IEP documentation, including medical records and psychologist reports to determine medical concerns for its use. Regular staff training in crisis prevention and non-violent physical treatment techniques is provided by Natura Academy staff and is required by all staff members. CPI kickblock, wrist grab release, hair pull release, front and back choke release, and bite release are methods that will be used (if appropriate) prior to the use of a physical hold. A CPI hold would occur when all other interventions have been exhausted and the student is posing an imminent danger of physical harm to self or others. Natura Academy staff will be trained to use the following CPI holds: one-person hold in standing position, one-person hold in seated position, team hold in standing position, and team hold in seated position. The type of hold used will depend on the incident and the level of physical engagement required to keep the student and others safe. When physical restraint is used, it is done so in a way that allows the student an opportunity to re-regulate at his/her own pace and to assist in the process of reestablishing therapeutic rapport. Natura Academy will not use prone restraint. Following a CPI hold, therapeutic rapport will be reestablished. The Illinois State Board of Education Physical Restraint Form will be completed immediately following the incident, and a copy of the form along with any other documentation will be sent to parents/guardians within one business day after the incident. Parents/guardians will be notified of the incident by school administration as soon as possible and by the end of the school day. As well, the student’s home school district will be notified by administration via email with attached documentation. Within two business days, the data will be entered into ISBE’s Student Information System (SIS). The Physical Restraint Form and related documentation will be filed within Natura Academy’s filing system. 

If a therapeutic hold is deemed necessary to maintain the safety, welfare, and security of the student, other students, and/or staff:

1. An administrator or senior team member will be present during the intervention. 

2. If a physical restraint exceeds 15 minutes or if repeated interventions occur within a two-hour time period, an administrator (Principal, Assistant Principal of Climate and Culture, Clinical Director, or Director of Education) will evaluate the situation.

3. A school nurse consultant or on site nurse and student’s therapist will be made aware.

4. An administrator will conduct a wellness check with guidance from the school nurse consult or with the on site nurse.

5. Parents will be notified on the same school day. Written notice will be sent within one business day to both parents and district (ISBE Form 11-01). 

6. RTO paperwork will be completed and filed by the school administrators. Information will be provided to the parents and ISBE. This includes:

   1. A copy of the standards for when RTO can be used

   2. Information about the rights of parents/guardians and students

      1. This includes information regarding the guardian’s right to request a meeting to discuss incidents that led to RTO

   3. Information about the parent/guardian rights to file a complaint with the state superintendent of education; the complaint process; and other information, including procedures for students who are eligible to receive special education services, to assist the parent/guardian in navigating the complaint process [23 IAC 1.285(g)(3)];

   4. A copy of ISBE Form 11-01 -- the information may be provided in printed form or by email [105 ILCS 5/10-20.33 and 105 ILCS 5/34-18.20].

   5. Restorative Intervention Referral Form (antecedents, other setting events, interventions used)

   6. School Incident Report, if applicable (narrative by team members involved)

7. Documentation submitted to ISBE (SIS system in IWAS) within 2 school days

8. The administrative team internally reviews therapeutic hold data monthly and annually to identify increases or decreases in the use of therapeutic holds. Based on the data review, the team reviews student FBAs, the effectiveness of BIPs, and the need for therapeutic holds for individual students. 

Natura Academy adheres to all procedures defined in the 23 Illinois Administrative Code C.H.I.S. Subpart B Section 1.285. In certain circumstances, the need for the following may arise due to the nature of threats to self or others:

• Contacting an emergency assessment team to evaluate the student for hospitalization or referral to a local Emergency Room to be evaluated for hospitalization.

• Contacting the local Police Department

• Contacting the student’s psychiatrist, outside therapist, outside caseworker, probation officer, and/or any other adults that may need to be made aware for additional support

• A required formal or informal parent meeting prior to returning to school

Please note: Chronic threatening or physically/verbally aggressive behavior may result in a thorough assessment by the Natura Academy team to determine appropriateness of educational placement. 

Natura Academy does not use or believe in the use of isolated time out rooms, mechanical restraint, or harsh/punitive interventions. Therapeutic holds are never used as a consequence; staff that are highly trained in special treatment techniques use those techniques only as a last resort and in order to maintain the safety of the student, the other students, and the staff. Natura Academy staff unite in their confidence that students can learn expected behaviors through restorative practices that merge our mission, our core values, the Collaborative Problem Solving approach, and the Positive Youth Development Framework.