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.
ADR Procedural Handbook
ADR Procedural Handbook_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.