| Abstract: | Model licensing requirements were developed by the New Jersey Department of Human Services' Division of Youth and Family Services to assist child welfare/human services licensing agencies in regulating children's residential facilities that use mechanical/physical restraints, isolation and/or exclusion in order to manage the behavior of severely emotionally disturbed and acting out youths. These requirements also identified practices that should be prohibited, such as forced physical exercise, certain types of mechanical restraint and group punishment. This article highlights a number of studies that help support the rationale for the model licensing requirements. In addition, the article discusses staff ratios, policies/procedures, documentation requirements, informed consent, peer review committees and staff training. |
