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IEP/IFSP Facilitation in Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania offers Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) facilitation to parents and schools/educational agencies who agree that having a neutral person at the IEP/IFSP would be helpful. Most IEP/IFSP meetings do not need or use an IEP/IFSP facilitator. IEP/IFSP facilitation generally happens when meetings have become contentious and parents and educational personnel are having difficulties communicating with each other.

IEP/IFSP facilitation means that an IEP/IFSP meeting will be held with a neutral party in attendance who may be able to get the two sides to agree. The role of facilitators is not to act as hearing officers or advocates, and they do not have the authority to make decisions for the parties if the sides are unable to agree. Facilitators have a good understanding of special education law and procedures and may help the IEP/IFSP team ensure that the perspectives of all team members are heard and that the team focuses on relevant issues.

Parents can get a form to request an IEP/IFSP facilitator from their child’s school district (for preschool or school-age children) or Service Coordinator (for children in Early Intervention) or from the Pennsylvania Office of Dispute Resolution.

Additional Resources

The Center for Autism Research and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia do not endorse or recommend any specific person or organization or form of treatment. The information included within the CAR Autism Roadmap™ and CAR Resource Directory™ should not be considered medical advice and should serve only as a guide to resources publicly and privately available. Choosing a treatment, course of action, and/or a resource is a personal decision, which should take into account each individual's and family's particular circumstances.