+ Behavior Support

Behavior Support is… and is not…

Tips for Successful Behavioral Support

Behavior Management and Discipline (HR. 17)

Due to our camper population we deal with behaviors daily. The most important thing is to keep the camper safe at all times when handling a behavior. In general, the following are steps to be taking in the behavioral management and discipline of MHKC campers displaying outward behaviors:

Prior to a behavior:

1. Read the camper’s file pertaining to their behavioral needs prior to camp.
2. Speak with the parent/caregiver during check-in about behavioral needs and support.
3. Attempt to prevent a behavior from occurring in the first place (including identifying antecedents).

When a behavior has started:

1. Attempt to calm the camper down.
2. Always focus on maintaining the camper’s dignity.
3. Remove other campers from the area, if possible.
4. Never leave the camper having a behavior alone. There should always be more than one staff member or counselor with the camper having a behavior.
5. Speak in calm, soothing tones and attempt to figure out what caused the behavior.
6. Attempt to mitigate the behavior using words and by providing options to the camper.
7. Remove the camper from the problem area, if possible.
8. If the behavior has escalated out of control, contact (typically via walkie talkie) the Behavior Support and/or a Director.
9. If necessary, individuals trained in Oregon Intervention System may step in and use physical restraints. ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS NOT BEEN TRAINED IN OIS IS NOT ALLOWED TO PHYSICALLY RESTRAIN A CAMPER.
10. If necessary, a MHKC staff member will be appointed to call the camper’s parents or guardians to help assist with decreasing the behavior. A counselor should NEVER be the one calling a parent.

Once the behavior has deescalated:

1. If possible, talk to the camper about the behavior and why it started.
2. If possible, talk to the camper about positive ways to handle situations that led to the behavior, including problem solving skills and proper interactions with others.
3. Fill out a case note or incident report, as needed.
4. If necessary, a Director will call the parents of the camper.
5. In the case of extreme behaviors or repeated behaviors, the Director will make the final call to send a camper home early.

While counselors should attempt to implement the above behavior and discipline techniques, it is always up to the discretion of the highest level staff member to implement appropriate and safe behavior and discipline techniques applicable to the situation. All attempts should be made to deliver fair and consistent disciplinary rules.

Techniques considered INAPPROPRIATE in handling camper behaviors include:

• Corporal punishment
• Physically, emotionally, or mentally harming a camper
• Utilizing restraint procedures when untrained/uncertified
• Threatening to withhold food, water, sleep or restroom privileges from a camper
• Forgoing personal, behavioral, communicative, medical or other care needs
• Using profane language with a camper
• Ridiculing a camper
• Excessive restraint
• Leaving a camper alone without supervision

Campers breaking rules or acting inappropriately at camp (swearing, hitting, throwing things, not staying with the group, harming themselves, harming others, harming property, etc…) may face disciplinary procedures including but not limited to:

• Having quiet time away from group
• Activity restriction
• Restriction to Director supervision
• Conference with Director
• Conference with Parent/Guardian
• Removal from camp

MHKC does not condone bullying. Any camper who is found to be bullying another individual may be sent home from camp early. To the extent possible, it is the staff’s responsibility to teach campers that bullying is unacceptable. Campers who feel they have been bullied should report it to their Counselor Supervisor.