Communities of Practice offer state agency personnel a promising approach for engaging stakeholder groups in collaboratively solving complex and often persistent problems in special education. Communities of Practice can help state agency personnel drive strategy, solve problems, promote the spread of best practices, develop members' professional skills and help organizations recruit and retain talent. There are a number of key strategies that are fundamental to the Communities of Practice approach. This report discusses how these strategies can assist Communities of Practice leaders and facilitators in building a strong foundation and enhancing stakeholder participation.