Category: News

2023-24 SY RISC 3rd Qtr Reporting is Underway (January 7, 2024)

The Restraint Information System Collection (RISC) is open for data entry for the third quarter.

The Bureau of Special Education (BSE) continues to require LEAs to report the restraints that occurred in each quarter. This reporting process permits LEAs to report restraints in a timely manner which, in turn, allows LEAs to monitor patterns of episodic behaviors and address them accordingly. The 2nd Qtr Zero Window closed on 1/15/24.

The third quarter window dates are as follows:
Qtr 3
Begin Date: 1/01/2024
End Date: 3/31/2024
Last Day to Report: 4/14/2024
Zero Window Opens: 4/01/2024
Zero Window Closes: 4/14/2024

A RISC reporting webinar is posted at apps.leaderservices.com/_risc/index.aspx. This RISC reporting webinar link is located below the login box of the Leader Services RISC sign-in page. This webinar explains the reporting and investigation process and how to use the RISC program. The webinar also shares how to update your LEA’s contact information. All parties involved with RISC are highly encouraged to view this webinar to learn how to report restraints, how to use the system, and to understand the regulatory responsibility of LEAs.

Additionally, the Bureau of Special Education has recently updated the Restraint Information System of Collection (RISC) Program Guidelines. The “RISC Program Guidelines” are available for review on the RISC website.

Questions regarding RISC should be directed to Keith Focht: 717-783-6921 or ​[email protected] or to the RISC Resource Account – [email protected]. 

Schools Challenged by Increase in Respiratory Illnesses (January 6, 2024)

As the winter break has ended and students and staff have returned to school, a number of schools went on heightened alert as respiratory illnesses increased in their communities.

According to K-12 Dive, while some communities are currently experiencing a rise in respiratory illnesses, the trend doesn’t seem to compare to the disruptions schools experienced from illnesses in fall 2022. During that period, a “tripledemic” of COVID, flu, and RSV caused some schools to pause in-person learning or revert to pandemic-era protocols for safety and learning.

Presently, as good practice health officials are advocating preventative measures like frequent handwashing and vaccinations to help minimize spread of COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

For more from K-12 Dive, click here.

USDE Guidance Document Spurs Some States & Districts to Clarify Special Ed. Rules for Informal Removals (January 5, 2024)

States and districts are taking steps to ensure that “informal removals,” in which school days are shortened to address behavior issues for students with disabilities, do not violate civil and educational rights. In 2022, the U.S. Education Department (USDE) released guidance regarding “shortened days” that avers they are subject to IDEA’s requirements to the same extent as disciplinary removals. That guidance raised the concern that frequent short-term removals of students with disabilities by administrators and staff could indicate a school is not following procedures under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Subsequently, although informal removals are not defined under IDEA or in its regulations, disability rights advocates have raised alarms about the practice being overused as a way to sidestep IDEA discipline due process for students with disabilities. This has led to the creation of new state and local resources, including from Oregon, Illinois and Chicago Public Schools.

To learn more from K-12 Dive, click here.

To view the USDE guidance document, click here.

DHS Highlights Innovative Suicide Prevention App As Part Of Mental Health Supports For Pennsylvanians (January 4, 2024)

On January 4, 2024 PA Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh announced a collaboration with The Columbia Lighthouse Project and mental health experts from across Pennsylvania to update the Columbia Protocol Mobile App. The Columbia Protocol Mobile App delivers the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), the most evidence-based tool designed to assess suicide risk severity. This app is made to be used by anyone, not just mental health professionals. It provides six simple questions that help identify individuals who are most at risk for dying by suicide and how to direct them to the resources they need.  

The Columbia Protocol Mobile App is comprised of straightforward questions regarding the individual’s mental health. Based on the responses, the Columbia Protocol calculates a Low, Moderate, or High risk and connects them to local resources. Each risk category assigns recommended support resources and next steps. In all cases, a connection with a helping resource is recommended. The internationally used app was part of a collaboration between The Columbia Lighthouse Project, PS Solutions, DHS, and statewide partners at the Blair County Department of Social Services, Healthy Blair County Coalition, and members of the Garett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Team.  

In Pennsylvania, 14 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021 were by suicide. The state is 38th in the country for suicide mortality. Across the US, rates of suicide went up by 4 percent from 2020 to 2021. It is also the third-leading cause of death in age groups 10-24 and 25- 34.   

Together, all Pennsylvanians can help prevent suicide. The Shapiro Administration is committed to preventing death by suicide by investing in mental health supports for Pennsylvanians. The 2023-2024 bipartisan budget that Governor Shapiro signed includes $20 million to increase funding for counties to provide critical mental health services. The budget also addresses the growing youth mental health crisis by providing $100 million for school-based mental health counselors and resources for students. Suicide prevention efforts have been ongoing in the Shapiro Administration, as well as through local suicide prevention organizations and coalitions. State agencies continue to collaborate through Pennsylvania’s Suicide Prevention Task Force, while working to advance the goals and objectives of Pennsylvania’s suicide prevention plan.   

In addition, Pennsylvania continues efforts to support of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. People who call, text, or chat with 988 are directly connected to trained, compassionate crisis response counselors. Lifeline services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at no cost to the caller. To learn more visit, www.dhs.pa.gov/988.  

The Columbia Lighthouse Project aims to save lives worldwide by promoting the use of the Columbia Protocol worldwide and by supporting organizations integrating it into their broader suicide prevention programs. The Columbia Protocol, also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), supports suicide risk detection through a series of questions. The answers help users identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, assess the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauge the level of support that the person needs.  

The Columbia Protocol Mobile AppOpens In A New Window is available for Android and iPhone. It can also be downloaded on your mobile device using Google Play Store or Apple Store.  

For more information about suicide prevention and mental health resources, visit www.dhs.pa.gov/mentalhealth.