In providing multi-year grants throughout the state, the California Department of Education (CDE) has made significant efforts to support the state’s Local Education Agencies (LEAs) as they work to build collegial relationships in special education. Partnerships among districts, schools, special education departments, parents, students, families, and the legal community have been created and strengthened. As a means toward that end, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) systems are proving to have a positive impact on collaboration, conflict resolution, and due process and compliance complaint avoidance. To investigate the efficacy of the grants, Napa County Office of Education circulated a spring 2018 survey throughout all receiving California Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs). The results of this survey solidify the perception that the grants have had a positive effect on creating alliances, developing informal solutions, and avoiding costly and time-consuming Due Process Hearings and CDE Compliance Complaints. This presentation will provide information on how California’s ADR funds were spent, convey perspectives of grant recipients, and make recommendations for future funding.
