Sample Maine e-mail

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Any Maine resident, please send this e-mail to your legislator.

Sample e-mail to send to list managers.

Subject: Contact The State Senators and Reps to Protect New Rules on Restraint and Seclusion

This school year, the State of Maine updated the regulations covering the use of restraint and seclusion in public schools. The updated rules, called Rule 33 (see: http://www.maine.gov/doe/school-safety/restraints/index.html), end the use of restraint and seclusion as "therapy". They also include effective new procedures for helping children feel safe at school. Some legislators now want to roll back the updates to Rule 33.

Please contact your state representative and senator today and ask them to protect the updated Rule 33. Below is a sample e-mail you can use.

Contact information your reprsentative is here: http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/townlist.htm

Thanks,

Greg Smith Parents and Professionals for Positive Interventions

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I am writing to ask your support for the updated Rule 33 governing on the use of physical restraint and seclusion in Maine schools. The new rules make a big difference for all kids, especially children with special needs.

Restraint and seclusion create a huge risk for injury to the child and adults involved. They also create psychological problems, including trauma, in young children. Children can learn their caregivers will place them in ‘scary’ situations and they can associate school with invasive and traumatic experiences.

Restraint and seclusion have no therapeutic benefit. When children’s behaviors don't improve, teachers may use more forceful behavior-control procedures. When such procedures become routine, the risk of abuse is dramatically heightened.

The alternative, positive behavioral intervention and support (see http://www.pbis.org/) has been proven effective in school systems around the country. PBIS improves the school environment for all children.

The updated Rule 33 was created to help all people feel safe in Maine schools. I urge you to support its continued implementation and to support training programs for its effective implementation.

Thank you,

[your name and address]

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Note: this was adapted from the Issue Brief found here: http://www.challengingbehavior.org/do/resources/documents/brief_preventing.pdf

Note: top priority contacts are members of the education committee:
Sen Rebecca Millett (D-Cumberland County) co-chair
SenRebecca.Millett@legislature.maine.gov
Sen Christopher Johnson (D-Lincoln County) chris@dirigo.net
Sen Brian Langley (R-Hancock County) langley4legislature@myfairpoint.net
Rep Bruce MacDonald (D-Boothbay) co-chair bmacdon@roadrunner.com
Rep Mary Pennell Nelson (D-Falmouth) mpn3@maine.rr.com
Rep Helen Rankin (D-Hiram) rankin8076@roadrunner.com
Rep Matthea Elisabeth Larsen Daughtry (D-Brunswick) mattie@mattiedaughtry.com
Rep Brian Hubbell (D-Bar Harbor) RepBrian.Hubbell@legislature.maine.gov
Rep Victoria Kornfield (D-Bangor) RepTori.Kornfield@legislature.maine.gov
Rep Peter Johnson (R-Greenville) rumridge27@gmail.com
Rep Joyce Maker (R-Calais) gjmaker@gmail.com
Rep Michael McClellan (R-Raymond) mmcclell@maine.rr.com
Rep Matthew Pouliot (R-Augusta) mpouliot57@gmail.com
Rep Madonna Soctomah (Passamaquoddy Tribe) Sipayik@midmaine.com