Family and Educator Partnership

The Iowa Family & Educator Partnership (Iowa FEP) provides parents and educators with opportunities to work together in positive ways to improve educational programs for children/youth with special needs.

The Iowa FEP operates through each of the Area Education Agencies and is part of a statewide network. We consist of Family & Educator Coordinators (parents of children with special needs) and an Educator Representative (special education division staff member). The Iowa Family & Educator Partnership works to develop and sustain effective partnerships between families, educators, and community providers to promote success for all children and youth with disabilities.

The Family & Educator Partnership helps families and educators by:

• Answering questions either by phone, e-mail, or in person.
• Referring to other resources.
• Assisting with the communication process between families and schools.
• Providing information about the IEP/IFSP process.
• Review of procedural safeguards.
• Help prepare for a meeting.
• Attend IEP/IFSP or other school meetings as requested by the local school, AEA staff, or parents.
• Helping a family develop a vision for the student’s future.
• Providing workshops on transition related topics.
• Sharing information about community resources.
• Collaborating with other agencies on family support and transition related issues.
  

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Guiding Principles:

• Creating partnerships early builds the foundation for family and child success
• Families, educators and community providers all have important roles, responsibilities, and perspectives in the education and support of children
• Successful partnerships work together by recognizing, understanding and respecting individual differences
• Each family has the option to access a variety of services and supports through the FEP, depending upon their needs at any point in time.