Is your school or local education agency looking to reduce and eliminate practices including restraint, seclusion, suspension, expulsion, and corporal punishment? The first step on that journey is resolving to change and realizing that you can do better for your students, teachers, and staff. The next step is developing a plan and putting it into motion. At the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR), we not only want to raise awareness about the issue, but we want to help those that are committed to change. We offer a variety of services to guide and support your efforts to reduce and eliminate punitive approaches that are pushing children down the school-to-prison pipeline.
Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint, Inc. is a Maryland nonprofit corporation operating through a fiscal sponsorship with Players Philanthropy Fund, a Maryland charitable trust recognized by IRS as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Federal Tax ID: 27-6601178). Services help us to meet meet our vision of safer schools for students, teachers, and staff.
Contact us today to start a conversation and explore the possibilities.
Consulting
If you are ready to commit to reducing restraint and seclusion, we can help. We can meet with you and your stakeholders to understand the issues and concerns unique to your organization. We can guide you in formulating a training strategy. And, we can help you create an accountability system to ensure that you are successful.
Training
We currently offer half and full-day training, which can be delivered in-person or virtually. The training provides a deep dive into the impact of restraint and seclusion and alternatives to reduce and eliminate these practices. We are also available to develop custom training to meet the unique needs of your organization.
Speaking
We are available to present to your organization or for your special event. We have presented for several national conferences, graduate and undergraduate college courses, and community organizations. We are happy to develop custom presentations for your audience to meet your organizational needs.
Testimonials
Guy Stephens has an incredible passion for our children and youth who walk into our schools and communities carrying in pain-based behaviors. He is an advocate and ally for our children and youth and presents rich data addressing the troubling and sad outcomes and effects of seclusion and restraint. Founder of The Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint, he shares his personal experiences as a father with schools, organizations, and communities around the world. Guy has been a guest speaker in our graduate classes and courses at Butler University and we always learn deeply and come away with hearts and minds filled with hope through his presentations and lectures.
Dr. Lori Desautels
Assistant Professor
Butler University’s College of Education
Guy was a guest speaker for my masters level course: Trauma-Informed Practices for Children and Adolescents at North Central College. The twenty students in this cohort are educators and health professionals seeking trauma-informed tools to influence systemic change and disrupt current behavioral approaches including seclusion and restraint practices. Guy connected with the students through personal stories, empathy for the challenges faced by modern educators, and his dedication for changing the antiquated practices still employed by too many institutions. He suggested alternative practices, while stressing the need for governmental policy change. Guy’s expertise, passion and commitment to this issue make him an excellent resource to teach and inspire a new generation of disrupters looking to shake up our schools. The impact of Guy’s presentation will most certainly change the trajectory of many lives.
Nicole Glynn
Adjunct Assistant Professor
North Central College
We have heard from attendees that the information you shared felt important and all-too-relevant to their own experiences. Your constructive approach to the topic gave everyone important new tools to use when engaging with schools around discipline as a whole, especially when seclusion, restraint, and expulsion are on the table.
Susan Killmeyer
Director of Training
Parent Education Advocacy Leadership Center
As a pre-service teacher educator in Canada, I am so grateful for Guy’s willingness to share the work of this Alliance. Helping future teachers understand their role in eliminating practices of seclusion and restraint from our schools is critical. This presentation drew student comments such as “Truly heart-breaking. This needs to be brought to light with provincial PD”, “I was unaware – everyone needs to know”, “This needs to reach everyone. Awareness around the dangers of [these practices] is important to spread for everyone”, “Loved this presentation – SO important”, and “Opened my eyes to the need for intentionality as a teacher and ensuring advocacy for students.”
Thank you Guy and the team at Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint – you are making a difference to children, youth, families, educators, and all people who work with our children and youth.
Dr Marie-Christina Edwards
Assistant Professor
Acadia University
It was a pleasure to work with Guy. Our organization benefited from his wealth of knowledge presented in a clear and relatable manner. He is truly dedicated to his mission to create a safe and supportive environment for all free of restraint and seclusion practices. His passion to educate others is evident, and I am thankful for the opportunity to work together.
Bill Prestianni, LCPC, ACS
Professional Development Coordinator
The Foundation School of Montgomery County
As not only an advocate for students with disabilities; Guy is a parent. It was so nice to have both an interpersonal reference to the aspect of how seclusion and restraint has a direct effect on students via third party but direct families as well. The feedback that I received at the first kick off meeting was extremely personal, and the staff felt comfortable enough to ask Guy questions not only on the what but the why. Sharing personal experiences and vulnerabilities to ensure they thoroughly understand the impact. I do believe it was Guy’s excitement and time that he had spent with us that opened the door (my office specifically) for staff asking if they can sign up for the book study. Signing up, without rewards, without compensation, but because they wanted to learn. 22 staff took time over the summer to spend doing the book study, and I couldn’t be more appreciative for the time Guy spent with them
Rachel Hull
Director of Educational Services
Laurel Hall School
I had the honor to meet Mr. Stephens before the pandemic; he conducted a very informative session about restraint & seclusion where I learned so much. I remember being impressed by his colorful and impactful presentation, jaw dropping data, and his warm personality. Because of his valuable presentation, I was able to help many families who were dealing with restraint and seclusion families at their child’s school while serving as a parent educator at PPMD (Parents Place of Maryland). In my current role at the Arc MD, I still try to live by one of his quotes “If you want to improve the world, start by making people feels safe”. Mr. Stephen is a strong advocate for his son, in addition to all children with disabilities and their families.
Coni Nepomuceno
Project Manager
The Arc of Maryland