Behavior Management

A system that motivates children to behave safely promotes an environment in which positive growth and change can be supported and accomplished by allowing the delivery of multiple treatment services.

Safety is one of the most important components of a therapeutic community.

Green Chimneys uses a variety of behavior support techniques that consistently manage the environment safely and effectively. These techniques, along with tools to make informed decisions in crisis situations, are provided for all direct care staff based on the Cornell University Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Curriculum, 6th edition. Staff receives extensive training and refresher sessions in effective de-escalation techniques, our preferred method of management.

Green Chimneys is committed to becoming a restraint-free environment and employs a behavior management system that promotes safety and healing by developing techniques and incentives for rewarding desirable behavior. The Safety Level System serves not only to prevent children from engaging in destructive or unsafe behaviors but to teach them effective alternative behaviors when faced with difficulties.

The system is designed to:

  • Motivate children to behave safely
  • Identify the individual progress each child has made in maintaining safety
  • Provide a consistent assessment tool that is coupled with the granting of specific and progressive levels of privileges and rewards

Treatment team members develop an Individual Crisis Management Plan for each student as a means of coordinating behavior management techniques across the various program areas in a consistent manner. This plan considers the child’s particular history, alerts, age, cognitive functioning and emotional development; provides a guide for crisis intervention that includes preventive measures and physical interventions (if and when necessary); and is designed for all staff working with that child to understand:

  • Specific warnings about particular safety concerns
  • Potential triggers
  • High risk behaviors
  • Specific intervention strategies
  • Their role in providing a unified approach in meeting each child’s needs