Individualized Education Program (IEP) Facilitation is a voluntary process in which an impartial facilitator assists the IEP team with communication and problem solving. The desired outcome of IEP Facilitation is to develop an IEP that is supported by team members that benefits the child. The benefit of using IEP Facilitation is that it supports productive relationships between parents and the school system. All decisions are made by the IEP team which minimally includes the parent, the special education teacher, a regular education teacher and an LEA representative. IEP Facilitation is offered at no cost to parents and the schools. IEP Facilitation is only provided when both the parent and the school agree to participate.

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) is a neutral party and cannot provide guidance on situations or concerns that may be addressed during IEP Facilitation. NDE maintains a list of qualified facilitators and assigns facilitators through an impartial method, with consideration of their schedule and availability.

IEP Facilitation may be requested by parents or an education agency (i.e., school district, charter school authority, etc.) and should be requested at least two (2) weeks prior to an IEP meeting. When IEP Facilitation is requested, NDE will verify that both parties agree to participate and confirm that the submitted request is complete and pertains to an IEP meeting under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B. NDE will accept requests filed by both parties for a specific facilitator named on the NDE list of qualified facilitators, if available. NDE will notify the parties which facilitator has been assigned. Once assigned the facilitator will reach out to confirm the details of the upcoming IEP meeting. An IEP Facilitator is not a member of the IEP Team and does not make any decisions. A facilitator guides conversations and helps the team find solutions to disagreements. A facilitator does not take sides or determine whether decisions are right or wrong.

The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education, CADRE, has created several resources to support parents and schools with navigating IEP Facilitation which are available here for your convenience.

• IEP Facilitation Parent Guide, English
• IEP Facilitation Parent Guide, Spanish
• Considering IEP Facilitation, for School Administrators
• Video: Overview of IEP Facilitation
• Video: Preparing for IEP Facilitation