Marquette Alger Resolution Service provides Special Education mediation, facilitations and training at no cost for Marquette and Alger County 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.
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.
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.
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 ( YOUR CENTER).”
