Turning Advocacy Into Action: Alliance Against Seclusion & Restraint's Story

Creating meaningful change often begins with an experience that resonates on a personal level; however, transforming that individual experience into a larger movement is not something that can be achieved with passion alone. It involves careful consideration and implementation of the appropriate structure, support systems, and strategic planning necessary to effectively scale the impact of the initiative. Simply having a strong desire to make a difference is not sufficient; organizations must also invest in developing frameworks that allow them to expand their reach and effect change in a sustainable manner.

The story of the Alliance Against Seclusion & Restraint (AASR) serves as an inspiring illustration of how a single voice can evolve into a powerful national movement advocating for change. Furthermore, it highlights the crucial role that fiscal sponsorship can play in facilitating this growth.

By leveraging fiscal sponsorship, AASR has been able to focus on its mission more efficiently, secure necessary funding, and build a robust organizational structure that supports its goals. This combination of personal passion and strategic support has allowed AASR to amplify its message and broaden its impact across the nation.

A Mission Rooted in Lived Experience

For Guy Stephens, the journey began not as a policy expert or nonprofit founder, but as a parent. After witnessing the harmful effects of seclusion and restraint practices on his neurodivergent child, Guy became acutely aware of a broader, systemic issue affecting thousands of families across the country. These disciplinary methods, often used in schools, can lead to trauma, physical harm, and long-term emotional consequences, particularly for students with disabilities.

What started as a personal effort to advocate for his child quickly evolved into something larger. Guy recognized that this was not an isolated problem; it was a widespread issue that demanded awareness, education, and reform. From that realization, the Alliance Against Seclusion & Restraint was born.

AASR’s mission is centered on transforming how schools and care systems respond to behavioral challenges by promoting safer, more compassionate, and research-informed approaches. The organization advocates for trauma-informed practices, neurodiversity-affirming strategies, and policies that prioritize dignity and safety for all students.

The Challenge: Building Momentum Without Administrative Barriers

Like many early-stage initiatives, AASR faced a critical question early on: how do you grow a mission-driven effort into a sustainable organization without getting slowed down by administrative complexity?

Establishing a traditional nonprofit organization is often a lengthy and involved process that can stretch on for many months. This process generally requires the completion of several essential steps, including creating governance structures to ensure effective management, filing for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, navigating a maze of compliance requirements, and constructing financial systems from the ground up. For founders who are eager to make a meaningful and immediate impact in their communities, these necessary steps can lead to substantial delays and frustration.

For AASR, time was of the essence. The pressing nature of the issues they were addressing, along with the necessity to increase awareness and engage the community, meant that waiting was not an option. Every moment counted, and the urgency of their mission demanded swift action to drive change and support their goals.

The Role of Fiscal Sponsorship

To move forward quickly while maintaining credibility and compliance, AASR partnered with PPF through a fiscal sponsorship model. Fiscal sponsorship allows charitable projects to operate under the umbrella of an established nonprofit, gaining access to tax-exempt status, financial infrastructure, and administrative support without forming a separate legal entity right away.

For AASR, this partnership provided several immediate advantages:

• The ability to accept tax-deductible donations from day one
• Access to grant funding opportunities typically reserved for nonprofits
• Built-in financial oversight and compliance management
• Administrative support for accounting, reporting, and operations

Instead of navigating complex regulatory requirements independently, AASR was able to rely on PPF’s established systems and expertise. This allowed Guy and his team to focus on what mattered most: advocacy, education, and driving change.

From Grassroots Advocacy to National Influence

With the operational foundation in place, AASR was able to grow rapidly. What began as a personal advocacy effort evolved into a national organization engaging a wide network of parents, educators, and professionals. AASR built a strong community of supporters and became a trusted voice in conversations around school discipline reform.

The organization’s work includes:

• Raising awareness about the risks and harms of seclusion and restraint
• Promoting alternative approaches rooted in neuroscience and trauma-informed care
• Engaging with policymakers to influence legislation and systemic change
• Providing resources and education to families and educators

Through these efforts, AASR has helped shift the narrative around how behavioral challenges are addressed in schools—moving away from punitive approaches and toward more supportive, inclusive practices. Guy Stephens himself has emerged as a recognized leader in this space, collaborating with stakeholders across education, advocacy, and policy.

Building Credibility and Trust

One of the often-overlooked benefits of fiscal sponsorship is the credibility it can provide, especially for early-stage initiatives. By operating under PPF’s established nonprofit framework, AASR was able to demonstrate strong financial stewardship and compliance from the outset. This helped build trust with donors, partners, and supporters who wanted assurance that their contributions would be managed responsibly.

For many donors, fiscal sponsorship can offer an added layer of confidence. With both the project team and the fiscal sponsor involved, there is increased oversight around how funds are used, ensuring alignment with charitable purposes and donor intent. This combination of mission-driven leadership and institutional support helped position AASR for sustainable growth.

Transitioning to Independence Without Losing Support

As the AASR organization matured and developed its capabilities over time, it reached a notable and impactful milestone in its journey: the establishment of its own independent 501(c)(3) organization. This transition into an independent status was not just a formality; it represented a significant step forward in the organization's growth trajectory, providing AASR with greater autonomy and control over its mission, programming, and resources.

With this newfound independence, the organization was positioned to expand its operations even further, allowing it to pursue a broader range of initiatives and outreach opportunities that align with its goals. However, AASR made a deliberate decision to maintain connected to the larger PPF ecosystem, recognizing the value of ongoing collaboration.

The organization continues to leverage administrative support and expertise from this network as needed, illustrating a crucial aspect of fiscal sponsorship. This model is not merely a temporary measure for new organizations; it is designed as a flexible framework that can adapt to the evolving needs of organizations at varying stages of their development.

For some entities, fiscal sponsorship can act as a solid launchpad, providing essential resources and guidance during the critical early days. For others, it may evolve into a long-term strategic partnership that significantly enhances operational efficiency and effectiveness over time.

Lessons for Changemakers

The story of AASR offers valuable insights for anyone looking to launch or grow a mission-driven initiative.

• Start with What You Know: AASR was built on lived experience. Authenticity and firsthand understanding can be powerful drivers of meaningful change.
• Don’t Let Structure Delay Impact: Administrative complexity can slow progress, but fiscal sponsorship provides a way to start making an impact immediately.
• Build Trust Early: Operating within a structured, compliant framework helps establish credibility with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Focus on Mission First: By offloading administrative responsibilities, founders can dedicate more time and energy to advancing their cause.
• Be Open to Evolution: AASR’s journey from fiscally sponsored project to independent nonprofit shows that growth doesn’t have to follow a single path.

Final Thoughts

The Alliance Against Seclusion & Restraint demonstrates what’s possible when passion is paired with the right support system. Through fiscal sponsorship, AASR was able to move quickly, build momentum, and focus on creating real change without being held back by operational barriers. Today, it stands as a powerful example of how advocacy can evolve into impact at scale.

For anyone looking to turn a mission into a movement, the takeaway is clear: you don’t have to build everything from scratch to make a difference. With the right partner, you can start creating change today and grow into something even greater tomorrow.