For more information, contact:
Nicole Groody (860) 868-7377

Utilizing Cultural Strategies to Better Assist Youth

WASHINGTON, CT (November 25, 2003) - Recent initiatives have been implemented by residential and hospital workers to help reduce the use of restraint and seclusion for children and youth in their care. Keeping to this aim, The Devereux Glenholme School hosted a three-hour workshop focusing on the baseline data from agencies at the forefront of these initiatives. The workshop, held on November 21st, was attended by local direct care workers, psychologists, social workers, administrators and program directors.

The interactive workshop, "Best Practices in Behavior Support and Intervention: The Impact of Cultural Issues," discussed the benefits of using cultural knowledge effectively to help reduce restraint and seclusion. The main speaker, Jorge Velazquez - Director of Cultural Competence Division from the Child Welfare League of America, explained the different ways culture defines a person / child's individuality and influences how they view others and themselves. Participants worked in groups to review child portfolios. Each group was asked to analyze and consider the specific cultural elements that were attributed to their particular portfolio. The groups were then directed to collaborate about the types of information needed to ensure cultural and therapeutic services for that specific child. In addition, groups were also prompted to discuss prevention and de-escalation plans for the youth in each portfolio. Mary Guilfoile, Director of Training at The Glenholme School, explains "This workshop brought together professionals from different states, from different perspectives, from different services. Yet all had the same goal, to share knowledge for the benefit of kids in care. We planted seeds that will grow and bloom in a variety of places where kids live. So much is possible when we work together."

Last weeks workshop was one of many hosted by The Connecticut Collaboration for Training Excellence, a partnership formed by The Glenholme School in Washington, New Britain's Klingberg Family Center, and Riverview Hospital in Middletown. The partnership enjoys funding from a federal government grant aiding training programs and workshops in order to significantly reduce the use of physical restraint and seclusion in children's mental health centers.