This interactive presentation will expose the participants to a unique component of the FIEP/FIFSP process that allows the facilitator to gather and exchange issues from both the family and the school district prior to the FIEP/FIFSP meeting in an effort to begin to gain some agreements and orient the FIEP/FIFSP team toward resolution. A checklist of tasks the facilitator could accomplish during this pre-FIEP/FIFSP phase will be shared and discussed along with hints on "how to" accomplish this stage. The pre-FIEP/FIFSP component has proven successful in more than 220 FIEP/FIFSP meetings that this presenter has facilitated with a 96% resolution rate since 1998. The information contained in this presentation will apply to both internal or external facilitators.
In keeping with the stated objectives of this Symposium, this presentation's objectives will provide an opportunity for the participants to:
- Receive information about the tasks involved in the pre-FIEP/FIFSP communication stage of a FIEP/FIFSP, allowing participants to gain a better understanding of an ADR option of IDEA 2004
- Receive information about the advantages of gathering and exchanging issues as part of the participant preparation stage of the FIEP/FIFSP process, ultimately improving practices across the expanding ADR continuum including conflict resolution and early intervention processes and gain a better understanding of effective ADR options
- Acquire advanced conflict management knowledge and skills to implement during the participant preparation stage for an FIEP/FIFSP which can strongly improve the chance for resolution at the FIEP/FIFSP, critical to resolution of special education disputes
