IEP Information and Behavior Support
Navigating the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process can feel overwhelming — whether your child is just starting special education services or you're a longtime advocate for their needs. Santa Barbara County SELPA is here to help families understand each step, from initial referral and assessment through IEP development, implementation, and annual review.
This section offers plain-language guides, answers to frequently asked questions, and resources to help you understand your rights and your child's rights under state and federal special education law. You'll also find information on how to prepare for IEP meetings, what to expect during the process, and who to contact with questions along the way.
Our goal is to make sure every family feels informed, supported, and confident as a partner in their child's education.
Behavior Resources
Every child communicates through behavior, and understanding what's behind a behavior is often the first step toward supporting your child's success — at school, at home, and in the community. Santa Barbara County SELPA offers resources to help families understand behavior support in the context of special education, including how behavior needs are identified and addressed through the IEP process.
This section includes information on Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), positive behavior support strategies, and how to partner with your child's IEP team when behavior is impacting learning. You'll also find guidance on your rights as a parent when behavior-related services or supports are being considered for your child.
Our goal is to help families feel informed and included as partners in supporting their child's behavioral and social-emotional growth.
Behavior Recipes
- A Recipe for Addressing: Eloping
- A Recipe for Addressing: Hitting, Biting & Aggression
- A Recipe for Addressing: Not Following Directions
- A Recipe for Addressing: Tantrums & Meltdowns
- A Recipe for Addressing: Transitions
Reframing
- Not Following Directions: Preschool
- Not Following Directions: Grades TK-K
- Not Following Directions: Grades 1-3
- Not Following Directions: Grades 4-6
Behavior Tools
Navigating the IEP
- Navigating Conflict in the IEP Process: Before the Meeting Video
- Navigating Conflict in the IEP Process: Before the Meeting Slideshow
- Navigating Conflict in the IEP Process: During the IEP Video
- Navigating Conflict in the IEP Process: During the IEP Slideshow
- Navigating Conflict in the IEP Process: After the IEP Meeting Video
- Navigating Conflict in the IEP Process: After the IEP Meeting Slideshow
- Engaging Challenging Conversations with Greg Abell and School Teams and Parent (11-30-2022)