In the United States, thousands of children—particularly those with disabilities, Black and brown children, and boys—are subjected to harmful disciplinary practices in schools. Restraint, seclusion, suspension, expulsion, and corporal punishment are not only ineffective but also cause severe trauma, injury, and, in some cases, even death. The Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR) is working to change this reality by advocating for the elimination of punitive discipline and outdated behavioral management approaches in schools. However, to continue this critical work, AASR needs financial support.
Why AASR’s Mission Matters
AASR is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness, advocating for policy change, and promoting trauma-informed, neuroscience-aligned, neurodiversity-affirming, relationship-driven, and collaborative approaches. Their work is crucial in ending the school-to-prison pipeline, a system that disproportionately funnels marginalized children into the criminal justice system due to outdated disciplinary practices.
This issue is more than an education reform concern—it is a civil rights and human rights issue. It is a disability rights issue. Schools should be places of learning, not sites of trauma and fear. By funding AASR, donors can help end these harmful practices and ensure that every child has the right to a safe and supportive learning environment.
AASR’s Impact and Ongoing Projects
Despite having only two paid staff members, AASR has made significant strides in influencing policy and educating the public, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers, including parents, educators, and self-advocates. Their volunteers and interns are engaged in numerous impactful projects, including:
- The State Law Project – A comprehensive, state-by-state analysis of laws regarding seclusion and restraint, helping advocates push for legislative reform. This ongoing effort requires regular updates to reflect policy changes.
- The Psychological Impact Project – A groundbreaking initiative in collaboration with the University of Texas Austin, working to survey individuals who have experienced seclusion or restraint to understand and quantify the long-term effects of these practices.
- Social Media Advocacy – We create informative content and videos to spread awareness and promote proactive, non-harmful behavior management techniques.
- Literature Reviews on Discipline and Inclusion – AASR conducts and publishes research-driven analyses on the dangers of punitive discipline and the need for inclusive educational practices.
AASR currently has over 50 dedicated volunteers who have contributed their time and effort to these important projects.
The Funding Gap: Why Support is Needed Now
Despite our impactful work, AASR is underfunded. Currently, we operates primarily with volunteers and limited staff. However, the demand for our advocacy, research, and educational efforts far exceeds our current capacity.
- AASR only has one full-time employee and one part-time employee. Additional funding would help support our efforts and allow more staff to be hired.
- The organization desperately needs additional staff to manage ongoing projects, expand outreach, and improve advocacy efforts. Increasing funding would allow us to hire additional staff and scale their operations.
- AASR’s research initiatives, policy projects, and public awareness campaigns require more resources to ensure up-to-date information, broader reach, and effective advocacy efforts.
How You Can Help
AASR is a 501c3 and has been operating through a fiscal sponsorship with the Players Philanthropy Fund, meaning all contributions are tax-deductible. Your donation to AASR directly supports efforts to:
- End harmful disciplinary practices in schools
- Advocate for policy reform at the state and federal levels
- Conduct critical research on the psychological impact of restraint and seclusion
- Provide educators with trauma-informed, neuroscience-aligned, neurodiversity-affirming, relationship-driven, and collaborative approaches to better supporting all children
- Expand outreach to families, advocates, and policymakers
Every dollar donated helps protect vulnerable children from trauma and ensures that schools implement safer, more effective approaches to supporting all children. If you believe in the right of every child to a safe and supportive education, consider donating to AASR today. Together, we can end the cycle of harm and create a better future for all students.
Make a Donation
Your contribution is more than just a donation; it helps us create safer schools for students, teachers, and staff. Your donation helps us promote a trauma-informed, neuroscience-aligned, relationship-driven approach to supporting all children. We can and must do better for our children. Please consider making a donation and supporting our critical work.
Join the Alliance
Join the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint and become a catalyst for change in how we support and protect vulnerable individuals. The Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR) membership program offers supporters an opportunity to actively contribute to the organization’s mission of reducing and eliminating the use of seclusion and restraint in schools and other settings. Become a member and support our work today!
