Parent Resources

The Mountain BOCES is committed to partnering with families in the communities we serve! 


Parent and Child Rights in Special Education:

Procedural Safeguards: Parent and Child Rights in Special Education (English)

Derechos de los padres y sus hijos en la educació n especial 

Parent Friendly Rights (One Page) A quick & easy "cliff's notes" version of the Procedural Safeguards 


Parent Input Forms for IEP Meetings

Parents, you have an important role in planning for their children's education! The following forms may be used to gather your thoughts, ideas, questions, and input as the team collaboratively develops the IEP for your child. Your valuable insight and information will help the team develop the best IEP for your child. You can choose which format works best for you and feel free to add your own questions! The idea is that your voice is heard and your input is weaved throughout the final IEP. You may send a copy to your child's case manager before the IEP meeting or bring it with you to make sure your questions are answered and concerns are heard! 

Parent Input Form (Short Form)

Parent Input form (Detailed Form)


Parent Survey AFTER IEP Meeting

We want to hear how your experience was!  The Colorado Department of Education and Mountain BOCES conduct a survey every school year to learn how parents are involved in their child's special education program. The responses you share will be used to improve the education of children with disabilities in your school district and across the state of Colorado. In the past, the CDE has randomly selected 100 names to send the survey to. Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, we will be providing the survey to ALL families for our own knowledge and growth, but will submit the responses of the randomly selected names to CDE

Parent Survey - IEP Meeting 



Parent Trainings/Meetings




Local Child Find Coordinator Contacts:

Buena Vista 

Dione Garritson 

DioneG@bvschools.org

Phone: (719) 966-9149

Park County (Fairplay, Lake George, & Guffey)

Robin Medina  

robin.medina@parkcountyre2.org

Phone: (719) 836-4416

Salida  

Lisa Monroe

lmonroe@salidaschools.org

Phone: 719-530-5375

Lake County 

Kelly Horning

khorning@lakecountyschools.net

Phone: (719)-486-6920


Local Community Center Boards:

In Colorado, the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (the Department) oversees the states’ 20 Community Centered Boards (CCBs). CCBs support access to long term services and supports (LTSS) through Medicaid waivers for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). Specific waivers require CCBs to coordinate services to clients in the least restrictive setting possible with the goal of keeping them in their homes and communities as an alternative to institutional care. CCBs serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Colorado has designated CCBs as the access point for the following HCBS waivers:  Home and Community Based Services Children's Extensive Support Waiver (HCBS-CES)  Home and Community Based Services Waiver for Persons with a Developmental Disability (HCBS-DD)  Home and Community Based Supported Living Services Waiver (HCBS-SLS) 

Chaffee County -  Starpoint: https://www.starpointco.com/

Lake County - Mountain Valley Developmental Services: https://www.mtnvalley.org/

Park County - The Resource Exchange: https://www.tre.org/



Dispute Resolution Options

If you have concerns regarding your child's education, you have options! We always recommend first trying to resolve conflict through the school team. This would include expressing concerns to your child's special education case manager/primary provider. You may also reach out to the principal of the school.


If you are unable to resolve conflict at the school level, contact the BOCES - We can help walk you through your options.


Special Education Coordinators:


Special Education Director:


Alternative Dispute Resolution: 


Get an Advocate: Parents are allowed to bring an advocate to any meetings related to special education. Advocates will work on behalf of you and your child. They understand the law and the education system and can help families navigate these sometimes complicated systems. 


BOCES can provide parents with contacts for advocacy services that will work on behalf of your child.


IEP Facilitation: Trained neutral facilitators will speak with school and family separately, develop an agenda with group norms, and facilitate a meeting together with the disagreeing parties. They will chart the discussion and help the team come to consensus. They DO NOT impose their beliefs or make final determinations. They simple use conflict resolution skills to help get the team to mutual agreements. 


Formal Dispute Resolution: 


Mediation - An impartial Mediator is assigned to assist the parties in resolving their dispute. The Mediator helps the parties to express their views and positions but remains neutral and does not take the side of either party.To be enforceable, any agreements reached must be reduced to a written settlement agreement and signed by both parties during the mediation. As to unresolved disputes, a party may file a state and/or due process complaint.


State Complaint - A formal dispute resolution process for any alleged IDEA or ECEA violation that occurred not more than one year prior. A party files a state complaint and documentation. The other party then files a response. The complaining party can then file a reply to the response. The assigned SCO conducts an investigation, including interviews and review of the relevant documentation. A written decision is issued within 60 calendar days after a properly filed complaint was received by the SCO and the AU. The SCO issues a written decision. If the SCO determines that IDEA violations require remedies, the SCO enters orders that the AU must follow to correct the violations, including, but not limited to, a corrective action plan, compensatory services, reconvening of the IEP meeting, etc. If the SCO determines that no IDEA violations occurred, no remedies are ordered.


Due Process - A party files a due process complaint with documentation. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is assigned. The Administrative Unit (BOCES) must conduct a resolution meeting. Any unresolved issues are heard by the ALJ. At the hearing, each party presents evidence, gives testimony and cross examines witnesses. The ALJ issues a written decision. If the ALJ determines that IDEA violations require remedies, the ALJ enters orders that must be taken to correct the violations, including, but not limited to, compensatory services, reconvening of the IEP meeting, etc. If the ALJ determines that no IDEA violations occurred, no remedies are ordered.


Additional Resources:

Agency List for Families of Students with Disabilities

Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP): https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/pep

Peak Parent Center: https://www.peakparent.org/

CDE Parent Resources Website: https://www.cde.state.co.us/communications/resourcesforparents

Easter Seals Colorado: https://www.easterseals.com/co/

Disability Law Colorado: https://disabilitylawco.org/

Student Record Requests:

For student record requests and translation of records, including IEPs, please contact Shawnna Stamps. Shawnna will need:

Missing information will delay the process

Shawnna Stamps
Special Education Records, Data and Reporting  Manager
719-486-2603 phone
719-486-2109 fax
sstamps@mtnboces.org