Family & Educator Partnership
The Family & Educator Partnership (FEP) works to develop and sustain partnerships between families, educators and community providers to promote success for all children and youth with disabilities.
Family & Educator Coordinators provide support, information and resources to families and educators in a variety of ways. Coordinators are also parents of children or young adults with special needs, so they share a unique perspective with families.
Services
Services are provided at no cost and are based on eligibility and need. Contact the FEP Coordinator assigned to your school district if you need assistance or information about the following:
- Conferences, workshops or networking groups
- Parent/student rights and responsibilities
- Understanding special education
- Community resources, camps and leisure activities
- Transition: preparing a student in special education, age 14 or older, in the areas of living, learning and working
- Challenging behaviors strategies for families
Informational Materials
Heartland AEA
Informational materials about FEP can be downloaded here in digital format.
Iowa Department of Education
Special Education Resources for Families & Educators located on the Iowa Department of Education website are additional, valuable resources for parents, families and educators.
Important Contacts
Family & Educator Partnership Coordinator
- Contact the regional director who serves your school district
Andrew Dewein
- Family & Educator Partnership Coordinator
Jan Mackey
- Family & Educator Coordinator, Des Moines Public Schools Staff
Kari Paulsen
- Lead Family & Educator Partnership Coordinator
Jaymi Vander Linden
- Family & Educator Partnership Coordinator