SpEd Information

WHAT IS A SELPA?

WHAT IS SELPA?

SELPA is an acronym for Special Education Local Plan Area.

In 1977, all school districts and county school offices were mandated to form consortiums in geographical regions of sufficient size and scope to provide for all special education service needs of children residing within the region boundaries. Each region, Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), developed a local plan describing how it would provide special education services.

SELPAs are dedicated to the belief that all students can learn and that special needs students must be guaranteed equal opportunity to become contributing members of society. SELPAs facilitate high quality educational programs and services for special needs students and training for parents and educators. The SELPA collaborates with county agencies and school districts to develop and maintain healthy and enriching environments in which special needs students and families can live and succeed.

MISSION VALLEY SELPA

What is the Mission Valley SELPA?  

The Mission Valley SELPA consists of three school districts: New Haven Unified, Newark and Fremont Unified School Districts.  The SELPA was formed for the purpose of ensuring that quality special education programs and services are available to students living throughout the area. All three school districts coordinate to provide services to identified students who require special education programs and services. The special education directors within each of the districts meet regularly to share resources and coordinate as related to shared program goals.

Shared Programs:

Presently the three districts share:

• Infant Services Program
  • Contact: Allison Warner, awarner@fusdk12.net
• Transition Partnership Program (TPP)
  • Contact:  Lorraine Neira, lneira@fusdk12.net
• Special Olympics
  • Contact:  Michele Goddard, mgoddard@fusdk12.net
• Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
  • Parent Chairperson:  Dyesha Gardner
  • Parent Vice Chairperson:  Kanaka Kannan
  • Parent Secretary:  Andrea Chamberlin
  • Members At Large:  Vacant

Who to contact:

District	Director	Contact
Newark USD	Jan Hamilton	jhamilton@newarkunified.org
New Haven USD	Sarah Kappler	skappler@nhusd.k12.ca.us
Fremont USD	Fran English	fenglish@fusdk12.net
SELPA Director	Karen Russell	krussell@fusdk12.net

 

 

What Is The Mission of the Mission Valley SELPA and What Are The Goals?

The Mission Valley SELPA believes that all students can learn. Our mission is to support special education students in achieving a high level of academic/functional performance according to national, state, and local standards. To assure this outcome, the SELPA will provide information, resources and support to students, parents, and school staff.

Goals:

1.  All individuals receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).

2.  All general education resources are considered and, where appropriate, utilized on a local or regional basis to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

3. A system exists at the regional level for the identification, assessment and placement of students with disabilities.

4.  A viable system for public education is functioning in the community, with broad participation and interaction involving parents and other agencies serving children and young adults.

5.  An annual compliance monitoring system is implemented, and continues to assure items found to be non-compliant with the California Department of Education Quality Assurance processes, and promptly corrected in accordance with the law.