Notifying a Parent of an Emergency Safety Intervention (ESI)

Image of a Middle Eastern mother and daughter. The mother is on the left. She is wearing a beige head and neck covering over a pink long sleeve shirt. She is looking at a laptop and holding a phone to her ear. She looks worried. Next to her is a young girl with curly, dark hair in a ponytail. She has her head resting in her hands with her elbows on the table. She has a sad expression on her face. Below the image is a navy blue rectangle with white text reading: "NOTIFYING A PARENT OF AN EMERGENCY SAFETY INTERVENTION (ESI)." Above the white text is a white graphic with navy blue text that reads "LEARN MORE" and an orange icon of a computer mouse inside of a navy blue circle. Navy blue rectangle with a white, thick, horizontal bar at the top. Over the white is navy blue text that reads: "KNOW YOUR SPECIAL EDUCATION RIGHTS: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS & STUDENTS IN KANSAS." Over the navy blue is white text that reads: "The flyer below and to the left is part of a series of one-page flyers covering over 30 Special Education topics. They are designed to give you "just in time" information for each step of the Special Education process. You can download the whole series in the form of an extensive booklet, or simply choose the topics and view the individual flyers as you need them." Under the text is an orange rectangle with white text reading: "SEE THE WHOLE SERIES HERE" with a white icon of a computer mouse inside of a navy blue circle.

PDF Version: Notifying a Parent of an Emergency Safety Intervention

PDF Version: Full Guide of all 30+ Flyers (Compiled as a Booklet)

Versión en Español en Formato PDF: Notificar a un Padre de ESI

What happens if the school uses restraint or seclusion on my child?

The school must let you know if they use restraint or seclusion on your child on the same day they used it. Restraint and Seclusion are also called Emergency Safety Interventions (ESI). If the school cannot reach you, they will contact your child’s emergency contact. In total you will get two notifications – the day of and the follow-up in writing.

The next day the school must give you a written record of information including:

• Date and time the ESI was used
• Type of restraint or seclusion
• How long it lasted
• Name of the school employee that used the ESI
• What happened before the restraint or seclusion was used
• Your child’s behavior that caused the ESI to be used
• Steps that the school took to get your child back to his or her classroom after the use of restraint or seclusion
• Statement encouraging you to schedule a meeting about the event
• Email and phone number of who you should contact to schedule that meeting

The written record from the school will include space for you to give comments, or the school will provide you with a separate form for your comments.

After the first time an ESI is used with your child, the school has to provide you with a printed form including:
• A document explaining when ESI can be used
• A copy of your parent rights
• How to file a complaint
• Information that can help you during the complaint process.
• This includes information on Families Together, Inc. and the Disability Rights Center of Kansas

You can request a meeting to talk to the school about what happened. It is a good idea to make this in writing. They have to hold the meeting within 10 school days of your request.

If you are upset with the ESI that was used on your child, you have options. See the first link on the left for options for complaints after the use of ESI.

Sources & Additional Resources

How can I file a complaint if ESI was used on my child? Disability Rights Center of Kansas & Families Together, Inc.

What is ESI? Disability Rights Center of Kansas & Families Together, Inc.

Restraint & Seclusion. Disability Rights Center of Kansas & Families Together, Inc.

A Family Guide to the Use of Emergency Safety Interventions and Parental Rights. Families Together, Inc.

Emergency Safety Intervention (ESI) Regulations. Kansas State Department of Education.

Notifying a Parent of an Emergency Safety Intervention (ESI)