Philosophy on Discipline

Good Hearts prohibits the use of the following abusive, discipline practices and/or physical punishment:

  • ridicule, verbal abuse or threats, or derogatory or humiliating comments;
  • physical punishment inflicted upon the body;
  • punishment for bed wetting or actions related to toilet training;
  • delegation of discipline to another child or group of children;
  • denial of food, water, shelter, sufficient sleep, clothing or bedding;
  • denial of services indicated within the child’s Plan of Service/Service Plan;
  • denial of communication with family or siblings as punishment;
  • assignments of physically strenuous exercise or unproductive work solely as punishment (e.g. moving rocks from one pile to another; digging holes and filling them back up, etc.);
  • requiring a child to remain silent for long periods of time;
  • requiring a child to be placed in a locked room (seclusion);
  • group punishment for the misbehavior of an individual child;
  • delegation of discipline to persons not known by the child;
  • denial or threats of loss of visits with family or siblings as punishment or deterrent to behavior;
  • threats regarding the loss of placement as punishment or deterrent to behavior;
  • verbal abuse, derogatory remarks, or threats of removal from the foster home;
  • assignments of physical strenuous exercise such as running laps, sit ups, holding a physical position; and
  • using food including snacks and candy as a primary reward or punishment.

Good Hearts promotes using positive discipline as a means of nurturing positive behavior, teaching foster children coping skills and personal responsibility, setting limits for behavior, and helping each child develop the capacity for self-control.

Positive discipline will be utilized to shape new behaviors and/or decrease negative behaviors.