This process recognizes that parents are a valuable source of assistance to other parents. There are many different approaches to offering a parent-to-parent assistance program, including strategies that emphasize parent-professional collaboration, dispute prevention, and conflict resolution. Some of these innovative practices occur at the regional service area, or district level, and others are state-wide. Some programs train parents of children with disabilities to support other family members through information, technical assistance and referral activities, while other programs train parents to accompany family members to IEP meetings or mediation. State-sponsored practices typically involve employment of a parent to serve as a resource person, liaison between family and school, neutral facilitator or ombudsperson. 

Family and Educator Partnership (PEP)—Iowa

The Family and Educator Partnership (FEP) works to develop and sustain effective partnerships between families, educators, and community providers to promote success for all children and youth with disabilities.

Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative - Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative is a service for parents, educators, and others interested in parent-educator partnerships for children with disabilities. Its goal is to help parents and school districts find or create the resources that will help them build positive working relationships that lead to shared decision making and children's learning. It supports increased sharing of information among parents, schools, projects, organizations and agencies through networking meetings, conferences, person-to-person contact, and media.

Navigator Program - South Dakota

The South Dakota Navigator Program provides individualized technical assistance, information, and support services to families and educators caring for children with special education needs.

District Consultants and Parent Mentors - Utah

The Utah Parent Center has Parent Consultants that work specifically with parents of children and youth with disabilities in designated school districts.

Parent Educator Exceptional Resource (PEER) - Florida

The missions of the PEERs is to provide up-to-date information, resources and support to parents of children with disabilities, facilitate partnerships between families and the school system, help parents gain access to accurate information and support services and provide referrals to community, state and federal resources.

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