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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Department of Human Services is calling for increased training and documentation on the use of emergency restraint techniques at its five residential centers for the developmentally disabled.
DHS on Monday ordered the changes following the review of the Booneville Human Development Center, which advocates have accused of using excessive restraint techniques on its residents. State officials called the center's staff dedicated, but said they also found "inconsistent" documentation.
The changes ordered for Booneville and the other human development centers include quarterly psychology peer review of emergency restraints, clearly outlining alternatives to restraints in behavior plans, retraining staff on how to properly document clients' behavior and creating a behavioral intervention training program.
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