IEP Facilitation

Welcome to the special education facilitated IEP web page! The Office of Special Education at the Nebraska Department of Education encourages parents and districts to use IEP facilitation to help teams work together and communicate more effectively to ensure student needs are met.  IEP facilitation is not required under IDEA and is not one of the dispute resolution options described in the federal law’s procedural safeguards.  However, facilitators are trained in ways to address and resolve conflicts.  Members of the IEP teams are the decision makers. 

What is IEP Facilitation? Individualized Education Program (IEP) Facilitation is an option available to parents and school staff when they both agree that it would be valuable to have a neutral person – the IEP Facilitator – present at an IEP meeting to assist them in discussing issues regarding the IEP.  The facilitator promotes effective communication and assists in developing an IEP based on the student’s needs.  The facilitated IEP meeting includes all of the required team members.  

When Should a Facilitator be Requested? It may be appropriate to request IEP facilitation when parties have concerns about communication and trust; if parties are becoming apprehensive about the next IEP meeting; or when the IEP Team process is ineffective at developing an IEP acceptable to the parents and school district, either party may request a facilitator, but both parties must agree upon the use of a facilitator.