Age Groups
The Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) coordinates and manages Pennsylvania's special education mediation and due process systems regardless of the age of the child. However, the procedures will differ based upon the child's age, which is divided into three categories:
The infants and toddlers and the preschoolers are collectively considered Early Intervention. The Early Intervention and School Age children have their own policies and procedures for mediation and due process.
The Special Education Dispute Resolution Manual outlines the mediation and due process procedures for all three age groups. The DPW Due Process Form should be used to request due process for an infant or toddler. The Mediation Request (formerly the ODR Request Form) should be used to request mediation for an infant/toddler. For mediation/due process for preschoolers and school age children, please use the Mediation Request or the Due Process Complaint Notice (both were formerly requested on the ODR Request Form).