EDUCATION

The School Attendance Mediation Program is preventative in nature. The goal of the program is to intervene priour to a student's becoming truant.

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Mediation Services are available for:

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IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan}

meetings for 0- to 3- year olds

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IEP (Individualized Education Program)

meetings for 3- to 26-year-olds

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MDR (Manifestation Determination Review)

meetings in response to long-term suspension or expulsion decisions

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RS (Resolution Session)

meetings related to due process complaints

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Facilitation can help the parties develop the best plan for the circumstances. A neutral facilitator helps participants with communication so that participants can focus on and resolve the planning or resolution meeting issues.

Mediation aids parties in resolving disputes that may arise in the school environment. Mediation is voluntary and confidential. The neutral mediator fosters a cooperative discussion. The parties alone make the final decisions. If they cannot reach a decision, the parties can move on to the hearing process or complaint.

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Learning collaborative communication and dispute resolution techniques can help parents, educators, and service providers be more effective in planning and decision making. Workshops can be adapted to the particular needs of parent, educator, provider, and other groups.

The more people know about facilitation and mediation services, the more they can benefit from them. Presentations can be made anywhere in the state and are supported by materials that explain the benefits of collaborative methods.

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Community Mediation Services provides Special Education mediation, facilitations and training at no cost for Alpena, Alcona, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Kalkaska, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties' schools and residents through the Special Education Mediation (SEMS). These services are federally funded through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and paid for by a grant from the Michigan Office of Special Education.

 

SEMS provides services in the earliest stages of intervention and educational planning and beyond:

 

Meeting Facilitation. Facilitation can help the parties develop the best intervention plan or educational program for the circumstances. A neutral facilitator helps the participants work through communication issues so the participants can focus on and resolve the issues.


Mediation. Mediation aids the parties in resolving disputes that may arise between families of students with disabilities and schools. Mediation is voluntary and confidential. The neutral mediator fosters a cooperative discussion. The parties alone make the final decisions. A successful mediation can result in a written, signed agreement that can be incorporated into an IFSP or IEP.

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Training. Learning collaborative communication and dispute resolution techniques can make parents, educators, and service providers more effective in planning and decision making. Workshops can be adapted to the needs of organizations, staff, or parent groups.

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Outreach. The more people know about facilitation and mediation services, the more they can benefit from them. Presentations can be made around the state, supported by materials that explain the benefits of collaborative methods.

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For more information please call 833-KIDS1ST or 833-543-7178 or visit: https://www.mikids1st.org. Requests for services are processed through the SEMS central office with local service delivery coordinated with Community Mediation Services.