Conflict Resolution & ADR
Disagreements with families about a student's special education program are a normal part of the IEP process — and how they're handled early can make a significant difference in preserving trust and keeping the focus on student outcomes. Santa Barbara County SELPA supports a range of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options designed to help IEP teams resolve concerns collaboratively, before they escalate into formal due process.
This section provides guidance for educators and IEP team members on available resources, including facilitated IEP meetings, mediation, and other informal problem-solving strategies. You'll find information on when and how to access these options, best practices for de-escalating disagreements during the IEP process, and how ADR processes differ from formal due process procedures.
Our goal is to equip IEP teams with the tools and support they need to navigate disagreements constructively, maintain strong family partnerships, and keep student progress at the center of every conversation.