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.

Elementary Student Materials

High School Student Materials

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.

Special Education Resources

Important Contacts

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Family & Educator Partnership Coordinator

  • Contact the regional director who serves your school district

Districts: Baxter, Bondurant-Farrar, Carlisle, Colfax-Mingo, I-35, Indianola, Knoxville, Lynnville-Sully, Martensdale-St. Marys, Melcher-Dallas, Newton, North Polk, Norwalk, PCM, Pella, Pleasantville, Southeast Polk, Southeast Warren, Twin Cedars

Regional directors

Andrew Dewein

Andrew Dewein

  • Family & Educator Partnership Coordinator

DistrictsAdair-Casey, Audubon, Carroll, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Earlham, Exira-EHK, Glidden-Ralston, Guthrie Center, Panorama, Perry, West Central Valley, Winterset

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Jan Mackey

  • Family & Educator Coordinator, Des Moines Public Schools Staff

District: Des Moines

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Kari Paulsen

  • Lead Family & Educator Partnership Coordinator

Districts: Ames, Ankeny, Ballard, Boone, Collins-Maxwell, Colo-Nesco, Gilbert, Madrid, Nevada, Ogden, Roland-Story, Saydel, United, Urbandale

Jaymi Vander Linden

Jaymi Vander Linden

  • Family & Educator Partnership Coordinator

Districts: Adel-DeSoto-Minburn, Dallas Center-Grimes, Johnston, Van Meter, Waukee, West Des Moines, Woodward-Granger