Residential Treatment Capacity
Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Human Services are working together to increase the number of beds for youth residential psychiatric and substance use disorder treatment programs. This stemmed from the 2019 recommendations of the Child Welfare Oversight Board. The reports below provide updates on this work.
Seclusion and Restraint Rates
There are many misconceptions regarding Seclusion and Restraint (S&R) practices in mental health intensive treatment facilities. In the past, these interventions were perceived as a therapeutic way to create a safer, more secure environment for consumers and staff. However, more current research has shown that S&R:
- Can pose psychological and physical risks to both consumers and staff (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010).
- Can have serious consequences including physical repercussions, mental repercussions, and has even resulted in death. There is no evidence that S&R is effective in reducing problem behaviors in children (U.S. Department of Education, 2012).
The U.S Department of Health and Human Services has aimed to promote alternatives to S&R (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). At both the federal and state levels, the number of S&R instances has been monitored in child-caring agencies such as psychiatric residential and day treatment providers. Measuring utilization of S&R is important for tracking trends in use, monitoring progress towards elimination, and quality improvement.