WI Special Education Mediation System (WSEMS)

The WI Special Education Mediation System is a collaborative effort between: WI FACETS (representing parent perspective), CESA #7 (representing school perspective), Nina Meierding (representing mediator perspective), and Burns Mediation Services (providing intake and system administration) funded since 1996 by a WI Dept. of Public Instruction discretionary grant to administer the state’s system of dispute resolution for special education. WI FACETS provides outreach training and information about mediation, facilitated IEPs and facilitated resolution meetings.

Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC)

WI FACETS has been funded by the US Department of Education since 2001 to support families and others with training, information and referral, and individual assistance related to children with disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

This funding also allows for FACETS to publish educational materials on raising children with special needs, especially navigating the special education system.

WI FACETS can help:
  • Families and their children/young adults with disabilities from birth through adulthood
  • educators and other professionals who work with students with or without disability
  • parents of all children and schools looking to encourage family engagement in education
Here are some services PTIC supports:

DPI (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction) Grant

The overarching purpose of WI FACETS’ DPI GRANT is to increase the knowledge and engagement of families to take a more active role in the education of their children with disabilities in relation to special education, evidence-based education practices, Response to Intervention (RtI), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), literacy awareness and improving literacy outcomes for students with disabilities.  This includes developing processes and resources to improve the knowledge and skill of families of children with disabilities and to also improve collaboration and communication between educators and families. The project works to enhance stakeholder engagement in special education related initiatives and promote meaningful participation of families in educational outcomes.

MPS Collaboration

Through funding provided by the DPI Grant, WI FACETS works closely with MPS leadership to enhance positive relationships, communicate effectively, and support parents of students with special education needs to be more engaged in the RTI and PBIS processes in their child’s school building. WI FACETS, in partnership with an MPS Grant Advisory Team, also strives to develop family friendly resources highlighting important topics and include specific information for families of students with IEPs in MPS.

Literacy Series Training

WI FACETS’ Literacy Series Training can be used to instruct families on how to support literacy development at home. The training provides information components of reading and writing, how a child develops literacy skills, supporting reading and writing in the IEP, and provides useful ideas for families to try in their home to increase their child’s literacy skills development.

To access materials produced under the DPI grant for supporting Learning, Literacy and Behavior at Home click here.

Serving on Groups

Serving on Groups That Make Decisions: A Guide for Families is a resource developed by WI FACETS along with a broad group of statewide agencies, school representatives and family members in Wisconsin. This useful tool was developed in response to feedback from families looking to gain more confidence in participating in IEP meetings, Home and School organizations, and other decision-making groups. The guide focuses on learning specific skills using research-based strategies while being broadly applicable to a diverse audience for a more effective and robust decision-making group. Serving on Groups applies to all decision-making groups, not just in education or specifically to one state. The Serving on Groups information is also provided as a training available in online modules, webinars, and in-person. For more information, visit the Serving on Groups website, or contact Lori Karcher [email protected].