DISPUTE PREVENTION AND RESOLUTION

ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION:

Ventura County SELPA is committed to supporting families and districts
as they work towards early resolution options. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
provides a neutral environment and a variety of choices. It utilizes consultation,
collaboration, and communication to resolve disagreements, preserve relationships,
and maintain focus on the needs of our students. ADR allows the decision-making
process to stay in the hands of the family and district.

Upcoming Events:
Strengthening Partnerships for Students with Disabilities Webinar Series

Ventura County SELPA ADR Brochure

VCOE Procedural Handbook (English) (Spanish)

What is Alternative Dispute Resolution?
ADR is an informal method of settling disagreements, guided by a trained facilitator who utilizes specific techniques to promote open communication and understanding, supporting the IEP team in creating a collaborative and satisfying solution that meets the interests of all parties involved.

Who Should Choose Alternative Dispute Resolution?
The design of ADR is for families and districts to work together, creating solutions for a mutually agreeable outcome that supports and strengthens the relationship. In ADR, a family does not have to hire an advocate or attorney to have a voice in resolving disagreements.

Why Choose Alternative Dispute Resolution?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) intended the IEP process to be non-adversarial. ADR keeps the decision-making in the hands of the family and the district and supports the team in moving forward, maintaining the focus on the needs of the child. Special education/IEP agreements are more effective when families and schools develop their solutions rather than abide by an agreement imposed by a third party.

Request for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Solicitud de resolución alternativa de disputas (ADR por sus siglas en inglés)

“In the Middle of Difficulty Lies Opportunity” – Albert Einstein

“En medio de la dificultad se encuentra la oportunidad” – Albert Einstein

Services Evaluation Form - Please Complete after each ADR service

In English

En español

Resources

Click the link below to request support with a concern or disagreement.

ADR Procedural Handbook

Folleto de resolución alternativa de disputas

ADR Procedural Handbook_Spanish

IF UNABLE TO COME TO CONSENSUS

COMPLAINTS:

If you feel your rights or the rights of your child have been violated by the district or an employee of the district, you have a right to file a complaint. A complaint may be filed with the school district Complaint Resolution department. If not resolved, or if the parent chooses not to file the complaint with the district, a complaint can be filed directly with the California Department of Education using the form below.

Learn more about how CDE is dedicated to enhancing communication and support for families
Request for Complaint Investigation

DUE PROCESS:

On ocassion, members of the IEP team may not be able to come to agreement as to what is best for your child, even after trying to come to agreement throught the ADR process. Special education law provides specific steps for resolving those conflicts. If you continue to disagree, you may file for Due Process. Due Process is a system in which people from the State Department of Education step in to assist with resolving the conflict. Please visit the Office of Administrative Hearings website for access to the Due Process Guide or to download the Mediation or Due Process forms.

RESOLUTION SESSION:

If you file for Due Process, your school district will offer a Resolution Session. A good-faith effort will be made to come to agreement with you at the district level before the state steps in. Resolution Sessions are completely optional, and you will choose whether or not you wish to participate.

Resolution Session Guidelines