Last updated December 2021
Information and Support for Navigating Special Education Services and Resolving Concerns
OEO is one of many places in Washington State where students, families, community professionals, educators and others can find information and support in understanding special education services and resolving conflicts or concerns.
The resources on this page include links to community organizations, associations and state agencies providing individualized information and supports on special education matters at no cost to students and families. This graphic illustrates the range of supports from informal to formal.
- Community Based Organizations
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- Open Doors for Multicultural Families
- Washington PAVE
- Local Chapters of The Arc of Washington
- Washington State Parent to Parent Support Programs and Washington State Parent Coalitions
- Special Education Advocates League SEAL
- Treehouse for Kids (supports for youth in foster care)
- Washington Autism Alliance
- Washington Education Association’s Special Education Support Center merged with OSPI to become Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network
- Behavioral and Mental Health Focused supports, including Peer Partners
- State Agency Resources for Navigating Special Education
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Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO).
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
State Education Agency responsible for oversight of implementation of special education in Washington State.
- OSPI Special Education Parent Liaison information and informal facilitation of concerns
- Investigation and resolution of formal written special education complaints “Community Complaints”.
- Mediation and IEP Meeting Facilitation provided through contract with Sound Options Mediation Group.
- Due Process hearing request forms and information.
Department of Children Youth & Families (DCYF) Foster Care Regional Education Leads
- Legal Advice and Representation
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Legal Assistance List maintained by OAH:
- https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/specialed/disputeresolution/pubdocs/LegalReferralList.pdf (includes contact information for Northwest Justice Project (civil legal aid) and private attorneys).
Other organizations providing free legal advice and representation to eligible students or families on special education or other education related matters: Check each for specific eligibility requirements.
- Disability Rights Washington (DRW), https://www.disabilityrightswa.org/
- TeamChild, https://teamchild.org/
- Legal Counsel for Youth & Children, (LCYC), https://lcycwa.org/
- Washington Medical Legal Partnership, http://www.washingtonmlp.org/ (in partnership with the Northwest Justice Project)