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 quarterly windows of reporting for the 2020-21 second quarter are as follows:
​Qtr 2
Begin Date: 10/01/2020
End Date: 12/31/2020
Last Day to Report: 01/15/2021
Zero Window Opens: 01/01/2021
Zero Window Closes: 01/15/2021

BSE will monitor the restraint information reported by LEAs. RISC  requires each LEA to report the event that occurred prior to the incident, the incident, the unsafe behavior, and the de-escalation techniques utilized. The LEA must notify the parent(s) of the use of a restraint and schedule an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting within 10 school days of the use of the restraint in the educational program, unless the parent(s),  after written notice, agree(s) in writing to waive the IEP meeting. Additionally, restraints occurring during Extended School Year sessions should be reported within three weeks of the start of the school year.
In reviewing restraints submitted in RISC of school-age IEP students, the Special Education Advisers of BSE will continue to focus on LEA monitoring responsibilities as well as:
-Training of staff in de-escalation techniques;
-Excessive time of restraint;
-Excessive use of parent waivers;
-Mechanical restraints;
-Injuries;
-Number of restraints;
-10-day window (school days) to convene an IEP meeting after a restraint occurs; and
-Handcuffing of students or students charged with a safe school’s offense.

A RISC reporting webinar is posted on the RISC site at: https://apps.leaderservices.com/_risc/index.aspx. The RISC reporting webinar link is located below the login box of the Leader Services RISC sign-in page. This webinar explains the reporting process and how to use the RISC system. 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, BSE’s “Guidelines for De-escalation and the Use of/and Reporting of Restraints in Education Entities” is available for review on the RISC site. Questions regarding RISC should be directed to Keith Focht at 717.783.6921 or [email protected].