ADR National, State, and Local Supports



CADRE- Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education


The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE) is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs at the US Department of Education to serve as the National Center on Dispute Resolution in Special Education. CADRE delivers its array of technical assistance and dissemination activities through the expertise of an outstanding group of nationally recognized staff, consultants, and advisors. Improve your dispute resolution system or process with a focus on five areas; Systemwide Oversight Infrastructure & Organization, Program Access & Delivery, Standards & Professional Development, Public Awareness & Outreach Activities, and Evaluation & Continuous Quality Improvement.

SELPA Administrators of California


The SELPA Administrators of California is a statewide association made up of nearly all current and retired SELPA administrators. They regularly meet to obtain the latest information on data and compliance, to share best practices in student programs, to be provided legal updates and state updates, to problem-solve systemic issues, and plan events and trainings that will promote student and staff success. Learn more about SELPA support related to ADR Resources for Families.

Pathways to Partnership


California Department of Education SELPA Resource Lead on Alternate Dispute Prevention and Resolution. Ventura County SELPA and Tehama County SELPA. Developing common understandings of dispute prevention and resolution; building specific skill sets around resolution, mediation, facilitated IEPs; developing supportive communities of practice and establishing collaborative cultures that foster mutual trust between families and educational staff; and designing the future continuum of dispute prevention and resolution across California.

ADR Coaches


ADR Coaches are diverse, skilled individuals, with experience to assist Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs) with Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes to effectively mitigate educational disputes related to students within the special education setting. The ADR Coaches were selected through an application process through the former ADRCal project, reviewed by a committee made up of ADR Community of Practice members, and are recommended by one or more LEA or SELPA Administrators. They are independent contractors that negotiate their own contracts with educational organizations. Please note, the coaches are not employees or contractors of the California Department of Education or Seeds of Partnership. Programs interested in working with a coach would review their Areas of Expertise to identify a good match and then contact those coaches directly. Learn more about each coach by visiting the ADR Coaches page.

California Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) / Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs)


For more detailed information on your local ADR process, please contact your LEA or SELPA. For LEA contact information, you may search the CDE School Directory at https://www.cde.ca.gov/schooldirectory. For more information on SELPAs, please visit the CDE California Special Education Local Plan Areas web page.

CA LEA and SELPA ADR Web Page Information Examples


Several Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in California include a section on their websites or document with information about Alternative Dispute Resolution in general, along with the services and programs offered in their respective area. Choose an LEA below to visit their website page that includes this specific topic area.