Empowering families to advocate for themselves so that children with special educational needs can reach their full potential in education and life - through support, training, and education. 
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Resolving Conflicts with Your School

It is an unfortunate fact of life that we occasionally encounter conflict. While the majority of interactions between families and school districts are amicable, there are times when people have a difference of opinion. Families who have children who receive special education services have numerous informal and formal options available to help resolve disagreements with school districts.

Families are strongly encouraged to exhaust all informal options available to them before taking a formal dispute resolution action. Facilitated IEP, which has been available in Missouri for almost 2 years, is considered an informal option and is an effective way to resolve conflicts.  

To learn about other types of dispute resolution options, please visit MPACT's website or contact us for information and resources about dispute resolution processes.
Facilitated IEP Brief Topic Review
Facilitated IEP Brief Topic Review
What is a Facilitated IEP?

Families or school districts can request a facilitated IEP team meeting when both parties agree that it would be beneficial to have a neutral person assist the IEP team.  A neutral facilitator helps special education planning teams reach consensus. 

In Missouri, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) provides the option of facilitated Individualized Education Program (FIEP) meetings. Skilled and neutral facilitators, provided by DESE, assist the IEP team in crafting IEPs in which both families and school district personnel reach consensus.

This program:
  • Requires no cost to families or district personnel
  • Encourages collaboration between school districts and families
  • Helps to resolve issues and is considered a low-level form of resolution
Facilitated IEP Information
Free Special Education Trainings
Does your child have a disability; struggle with learning, behavior, or social issues at school; or currently receive special education services? If so, Missouri Parents Act (MPACT) may be able to help. MPACT is a federally-funded, statewide parent training and information center. MPACT offers families free training, resources, and support throughout the special education process. 
 
All training descriptions are located on our website. Please contact us if you would like to schedule a training for your area or organization or  RSVP for any of MPACT's scheduled trainings  by clicking on the individual links below.

For more information about MPACT or to request information and resources about the special education process, please visit www.missouriparentsact.org or call 1-800-743-7634.

Northern Missouri Region

Special Education Law
July 12 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
River of Life Baptist Church
811 Walnut St
Cameron, MO 64429
 
Dispute Resolution Processes
July 26 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
St. Joseph Library: East Hills Branch
502 North Woodbine Rd
St. Joseph, MO 64506
 
Understanding the IEP Process
August 9 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
River of Life Baptist Church
811 Walnut St
Cameron, MO 64429

Dispute Resolution Processes
September 13 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
River of Life Baptist Church
811 Walnut St
Cameron, MO 64429
 
Kansas City Missouri Region

Dispute Resolution Processes
August 8 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Mid-Continent Public Library: Woodneath Library Center
Community Room
900 Northeast Flintlock Rd
Kansas City, MO 64157
http://www.missouriparentsact.org/event/disagreement-resolution-processes-13/

Understanding the Evaluation Process
August 30 @ 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Developmental Disability Services of Jackson County - eitas
8508 Hillcrest Rd
Kansas City, MO 64138
http://www.missouriparentsact.org/event/understanding-the-evaluation-process-2/

Understanding the IEP Process
August 30 @ 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Developmental Disability Services of Jackson County - eitas
8508 Hillcrest Rd
Kansas City, MO 64138
 
New Date!  Steps to Success: Parental Rights
September 10 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Mid-Continent Public Library: Woodneath Library Center
8900 Northeast Flintlock Rd 
Kansas City, MO 64157
http://www.missouriparentsact.org/event/parental-rights-2/

New Date!  Steps to Success: Effectively Communicating Your Child's Needs
September 10 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Mid-Continent Public Library: Woodneath Library Center
8900 Northeast Flintlock Rd 
Kansas City, MO 64157

Steps to Success: Understanding the IFSP
January 28, 2019 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Kansas City Public Library: North-East Branch
6000 Wilson Ave
Kansas City, MO 64123
 
Steps to Success: Family Record Keeping
January 28, 2019 @ 11:40 am - 12:30 pm
Kansas City Public Library: North-East Branch
6000 Wilson Ave
Kansas City, MO 64123
 
Central Missouri Region

Special Education: What I Need to Know
July 27 @ 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Daniel Boone Regional Library: Columbia Public Library
100 West Broadway
Columbia, MO 65203
http://www.missouriparentsact.org/event/special-education-what-i-need-to-know-10/

Steps to Success: Effectively Communicating your Child's Needs
August 2 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Pathways Community Health Building
Bennett Springs Meeting Room
860 Lynn St
Lebanon, MO 65536
http://www.missouriparentsact.org/event/effectively-communicating-your-childs-needs-2/

Special Education Law
August 9 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Pathways Community Health Building
Bennett Springs Meeting Room
860 Lynn St
Lebanon, MO 65536
http://www.missouriparentsact.org/event/special-education-law-12/

Dispute Resolution Processes
August 9 @ 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Pathways Community Health Building
Bennett Springs Meeting Room
860 Lynn St
Lebanon, MO 65536
 
Steps to Success: Effectively Communicating your Child's Needs
August 24 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Osage Beach Public Library
1064 Gutridge Ln
Osage Beach, MO 65065

Art of Effective Advocacy
September 14 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Pulaski County Library District: Waynesville Library
306 Historic 66 West 
Waynesville, MO 65583 

Special Education: What I Need to Know
September 14 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Pulaski County Library District: Waynesville Library
306 Historic 66 West 
Waynesville, MO 65583 
http://www.missouriparentsact.org/event/special-education-what-i-need-to-know/

Special Education: What I Need to Know
September 21 @ 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Sedalia Public Library
311 West 3rd St 
Sedalia, MO 65301
 
St. Louis Missouri Region

Dispute Resolution Processes
July 26 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
MPACT State Office
7421 Mexico Rd
Suite 200 
St. Peters, MO 63376
 
Art of Effective Advocacy
July 26 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
MPACT State Office
7421 Mexico Rd
Suite 200 
St. Peters, MO 63376
 
Understanding the IEP Process
July 27 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
MPACT State Office
7421 Mexico Rd
Suite 200 
St. Peters, MO 63376
 
Special Education Law
July 27 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
MPACT State Office
7421 Mexico Rd
Suite 200 
St. Peters, MO 63376
 
Steps to Success: IDEA Part C to B
September 18 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Scenic Regional Library: Union Branch
308 Hawthorne Dr
Union, MO 63084
 
Steps to Success: IDEA Part C to B
September 18 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Scenic Regional Library: Union Branch
308 Hawthorne Dr
Union, MO 63084
 
Steps to Success: Effectively Communicating Your
Child's Needs
October 10 @ 6:45 pm - 8:00 pm
St. Charles City-County Library District: Spencer Road Branch
427 Spencer Rd
St. Peters, MO 63376
 
Understanding ADHD
October 17 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Special School District of St. Louis County
SSD Central Office
12110 Clayton Rd
Town and Country, MO 63131
 
Understanding the IEP Process
October 24 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Special School District of St. Louis County
SSD Central Office
12110 Clayton Rd
Town and Country, MO 63131
 
Solving the Employment Puzzle
November 7 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Special School District of St. Louis County
SSD Central Office
12110 Clayton Rd
Town and Country, MO 63131
 
Steps to Success: IDEA Part C to Part B
February 6, 2019
6:45 pm - 8:00 pm
St. Charles City-County Library District: Spencer Road Branch
427 Spencer Rd
St. Peters, MO 63376

Southwest Missouri Region

Understanding the Evaluation Process
July 28 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Preferred Family Services
710 South Maiden Ln
Joplin, MO 64804
 
Understanding the IEP Process for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
August 7 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism
2808 South Picher Ave
Joplin, MO 64804

Steps to Success: Effectively Communicating Your Child's Needs
August 21 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Abilities First
1370 Primrose St
Springfield, MO 65804
 
Steps to Success: Effectively Communicating Your Child's Needs
August 22 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Community Support Services
2312 Annie Baxter
Joplin, MO 64804
 
Southeast Missouri Region

Be Determined
August 6 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Hope Life Learning Center
601 Davis Blvd 
Sikeston, MO 63801

Art of Effective Advocacy
August 6 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Easter Seals Midwest: Butler County
2323 North Main
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

* Up-to-date training information is available on our  website .
MPACT is funded in part or whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H328M090020-10. The contents of the website, however, and any documents cited herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S Department of Education.
Copyright © 2018 MPACT. All rights reserved.
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