What is a Facilitated IEP (FIEP)?
A Facilitated IEP (FIEP) is an option available at the request of schools and parents for conflict prevention and resolution. This service is provided at no cost to parents or schools. A trained impartial professional (facilitator) helps the case conference committee with the IEP process by:
- Keeping the meeting focused on the student
- Ensuring everyone at the table has a voice
- Encouraging active listening by all participants
- Helping keep team members on task and within the time allotted for the meeting
- Participating as a non-committee member, which does not impose decisions on the group
The Benefits of FIEP include:
- Builds & improves relationships between parents and schools
- Keeps the case conference focused on the student
- Models effective communication and listening
- Identifies agreements and clarifies and seeks to resolved disagreements
- Supports better follow through and follow-up, as roles and responsibilities are discussed and planned
Consider FIEP if. . .
- The case conference committee is spending more time trying to resolve conflicts than working on activities that promote student achievement and success
- Multiple case conferences have been convened with little or no resolution
- One or more case conference committee members believes their voice is not being heard
- There is a lot of new information to be processed or the student's situation is particularly complex
- Team members would like to create better understanding
- Team members want to help staying focused on the IEP process
- There is a particular disagreement that the team wants to make progress on
An Overview of the FIEP Process
- An intake coordinator will contact the requestor by phone.
- If approved, it will be assigned to a trained facilitator.
- The facilitator will contact both the school and the parent.
- The facilitator will attend/faciliate your scheduled FIEP meeting.
- The facilitator will gather feedback regarding the FIEP process from the parent and school staff.
How should I prepare for an FIEP Meeting?
Prior to the meeting, consider the following to help make sure the FIEP is a postitive experience:
- Please come to the IEP meeting ready to work cooperatively. This means that participants keep and open mind and show a willingness to listen to the information shared by others.
- Give yourself permission to be creative.
- Distribute documents to all members of the team prior to the meeting for review
- Remember that the student is the focus of every meeting.
Request FIEP Services
1. Download the request form or call the IEPRC office at 317-757-8297 to have the form sent to you
2. Complete the form, with signatures from both the parent and school.
3. Submit the form via fax (317-672-2839) or by mailing to:
- FIEP Services
Indiana IEP Resource Center
7916 Zionsville Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Downloads/Forms: