Six Core Strategies to Reduce Seclusion and Restraint Use with Dr. Kevin Ann Huckshorn

These strategies were developed through extensive literature reviews and dialogues with experts who have successfully reduced the use of S/R in a variety of mental health settings for children and adults across the United States and internationally.Dr. Kevin Ann Huckshorn is the Executive Vice President-Northeast Region, for Recovery Innovations International. She is responsible for RI onsite operations in DE, VA, OH, and MD; , engaging in consultation work for the organization; progressing new program implementation efforts; participating in contract negotiations; and operating within a state or regional leadership role when needed.Dr. Huckshorn’ s most recent past position was as the Director of Evidence-based Practices and Programs for WellPath Recovery Solutions, Inc. She was the past hospital director for Bridgewater State Hospital in MA where she and that team transitioned a prison for adult men with serious mental illnesses to a state hospital directed by trauma-informed care and recovery-based practices, under the direction of Governor Baker, MA DOC and Wellpath (2017-2019). Dr. Huckshorn was also the past State Director of Delaware’s Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (2009-2015) and led the successful resolution of the USDOJ Olmstead settlement agreement with the state. From 2001 to 2009, Huckshorn was the Director of the National Technical Assistance Center for State Mental Health Planning for NASMHPD. Kevin is a licensed and certified mental health nurse and substance abuse clinician with practical knowledge from 42 years of professional frontline experience working in a variety of public and private mental health organizations and substance abuse programs. She has extensive experience in both inpatient and outpatient program development including peer-run projects; psychiatric rehabilitation treatment programs for persons with serious mental illness; and recovery-based mental health and substance abuse services. She is published on topics including violence, treatment adherence, and workforce development; serves on the editorial board of a U.S. peer reviewed nursing mental health journal; authored a number of textbook chapters on violence reduction and co-authored a book with William Anthony, PhD titled “Principled Leadership in Mental Health Systems and Programs" (2008). Dr. Huckshorn was the past Director of the Office of Technical Assistance for the National Association for State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and the National Coordinating Center for Seclusion and Restraint Reduction where she led the development of an evidence-based model to prevent violence and the use of seclusion and restraint (2001-2021). This EBP has been adopted in over 35 states and six countries to date. Support the show