CPI, Crisis, and De-Escalation: Our Approach to Student Safety and Support

At Connect Academy, we are deeply committed to providing a safe, supportive, and trauma-informed environment for all students. Some of our learners may experience moments of emotional escalation or crisis. When that happens, we respond with care, consistency, and training designed to protect dignity while ensuring the safety of all.

What is CPI?
CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) is a nationally recognized training program that teaches staff how to:

• Recognize early signs of distress.
• Use verbal and non-verbal de-escalation strategies.
• Intervene safely when behaviors become physically unsafe.

All Connect Academy staff receive CPI training and refreshers to ensure they are confident and consistent in their responses.

What Happens During a Crisis?
When a student enters a state of crisis, our goals are always to:

• Keep everyone safe.
• Maintain the student’s dignity.
• Return to regulation as quickly and calmly as possible.

We follow these steps:

1. Prevention and Early Intervention: Staff use calm voices, space, and reassurance to support regulation before escalation occurs.
2. De-escalation Strategies: If a student is dysregulated, we provide choices, reduce demands, and modify the environment.
3. Physical Intervention (as a last resort): If a student becomes a danger to themselves or others, CPI-approved physical interventions may be used by trained staff to prevent harm. These interventions are always:
   1. Last resort
   2. Least restrictive
   3. Monitored and documented

After the Crisis
After a crisis, we believe in rebuilding trust and restoring relationships through:

• A debriefing process with the student when they are calm and ready.
• Same day parent/guardian communication, including notification of any physical intervention.
• ​Documentation through a formal report sent to both the family and home district within 48 hours.

Our Beliefs About Behavior

• Behavior is communication.
• All students benefit from predictable, caring responses.
• Every student deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported, especially in moments of distress.
  
  
  

How We Support Ongoing Regulation

• Individualized behavior plans.
• Daily check-ins and breaks.
• Sensory supports and calming spaces.
• Strong staff-student relationships.
• Team communication and consistent follow-through.

If you ever have concerns, questions, or need help understanding your child’s behavior plan or a recent incident, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to partner with you.