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The Whistle-Blower Behind Reported Abuse At Holyoke School
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A report this week by the Disability Law Center describes a disturbing culture of abuse at the Peck Full Service Community School in Holyoke — specifically, in a therapeutic program there for emotionally disabled children.
"This is one of the worst that we've seen, both in terms of numbers, the pervasiveness, the wrongful treatment of these youngsters who were already emotionally vulnerable," Stan Eichner, director of litigation at the Disability Law Center, told Radio Boston Thursday.
The DLC's report was driven largely by abusive incidents documented by Liza Hirsch, who was a full service community school manager at the Peck School for six months in 2014.
Guest
Liza Hirsch, staff attorney at Massachusetts Advocates for Children and former full service community school manager at the Peck School.
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Radio Boston: Disability Law Center Reports Abuse At Holyoke Public School Therapeutic Program
- "A student with emotional disabilities restrained by three adults; children thrown to the floor and slapped; another student losing a tooth after restraint."
The Boston Globe: Whistleblower, Parents Describe Abuses In Program For Disabled Students
- "Liza Hirsch began work at the Peck Full Service Community School in Holyoke last fall, excited by its model of involving families and community partners in learning."
- "If you’re a black student or you’re poor, you’re far more likely to be punished than offered behavioral treatment when you misbehave."
This segment aired on December 11, 2015.