Great news! Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia recently voted to revise their policy related to the use of restraint and seclusion. On February 25th the board of education met to vote on a policy update (meeting). The Loudoun County School Board voted to update its restraint and seclusion policy, and will no longer permit the use of seclusion.
Below is a letter sent on behalf of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint to the board of education on Saturday March 1st, 2025 to thank them for their hard work in passing this updated policy.
Dear Board of Education Members and Dr. Spence,
On behalf of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR), I am writing to express our sincere gratitude for your recent decision to prohibit the use of seclusion in Loudoun County Public Schools. This updated policy represents a significant step forward in creating a safer and more supportive environment for all students.
We commend your dedication and hard work in crafting this updated policy. Your commitment to the well-being of Loudoun County students is evident, and we applaud your proactive approach to addressing this critical issue. By eliminating seclusion practices, you have demonstrated leadership and a genuine concern for the physical and mental health of your students.
As you move forward with implementing this new policy, we at AASR would be honored to support your efforts. We offer professional development programs focused on trauma-informed, neuroscience-aligned, neurodiversity-affirming, relationship-driven, and collaborative alternatives to restraint and seclusion. These approaches can help create a more positive learning environment and prevent disruptive behavior, ultimately benefiting students, teachers, and staff alike.
Our partnership with the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) has resulted in the development of a training program called “Reframing Behavior,” which could be particularly valuable as you transition away from seclusion practices. This program incorporates the latest neuroscience research to help educators build supportive learning environments and prevent disruptive behavior.
Once again, thank you for your commitment to improving the educational experience for all students in Loudoun County Public Schools. Your decision to prohibit seclusion sets an excellent example for other school districts across the nation.
We look forward to the possibility of working together to support the successful implementation of your new policy and to continue improving outcomes for students, teachers, staff, and families in Loudoun County.
Sincerely,
Guy Stephens
Executive Director
Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint
