Ventura County SELPA - Special Education Local Plan Area
WHAT IS A SELPA?
The Ventura County SELPA is responsible for the implementation of the Ventura County Special Education Local Plan, and insuring a free appropriate public education to all students with identified disabilities according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act PL 94-142 amended by PL 108-446 (Regulations 34CFR parts 300 and 301) and California Laws and Regulations (California Special Education Programs: A Composite of Laws Database). The Ventura County SELPA is the second largest SELPA in the state, serving over 16,000 students with disabilities in the 21 districts in Ventura County, the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Office and the Las Virgenes Unified School District in Los Angeles County.
The school districts and the county office of education collaborate together to make a free, appropriate public education available to all students with disabilities according to their Individualized Education Program (IEP). All special education services are made available at no cost to families.
The Local Plan for Special Education describes how our member districts have collaborated together to implement all requirements of state and federal law. Signed by each Board of Education, it becomes policy for each participating district.
The SELPA provides guidelines and forms for all districts in the SELPA to assist in implementation of Special Education statutes and regulations.
Individual Education Program (IEP) Forms and Resources
The IEP is the foundational document for the student's special education program. The SELPA makes forms available to all of our districts which will assist in legal compliance as well as parent participation.
The Ventura County SELPA strives to help families to be knowledgeable and empowered partners in educational decision making for their children. With the direction of the Community Advisory Committee, there are numerous documents, brochures and booklets available to help. Many resources are also available en Español
There are many booklets and pamphlets that are available to assist teachers, both special and general education, and other staff in working with special education students.
Training Opportunities for Staff, Families and Others
Ventura County SELPA offers many training opportunities for personnel who work with students with disabilities. These may include parents, teachers (both general and special education), administrators, specialists, community people, paraprofessionals, child care providers and anyone else who wants to improve their skills or learn more in a particular area. Based on Needs Assessment, priority topics are selected. Some topics are of interest to the SELPA as a whole, while others have a more narrow focus to a specific group of staff or students. The SELPA strives to be forward thinking in offering information and training in the "latest and newest" innovations, as well as responsive to the immediate needs and requests of our personnel.
Resources for students, teachers, and families in assisting our students in making the transition from high school or postsecondary school to adult life- employment, college, community living.
A site developed to reduce the stigma often associated with disability, it offers information and activities to help the community understand how people with disabilities are similar as well as different and what they can accomplish with the right supports.
The Ventura County SELPA is a partner mandated by the state of California in implementing California's Early Start Program for infants and toddlers birth- three years old with developmental delays or at risk for developmental delays.
The SELPA provides leadership in training and resources for staff working with students with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. We have an Autism Certification Program for professionals as well as paraprofessionals.
Resources and guidelines for addressing challenging behaviors in students with disabilities.
Information and resources primarily for Speech & Language Pathologists.
Most special education services are provided by the local school districts. However, there are a few services that are provided directly by the SELPA, including Occupational Therapy, Assistive Technology Services, Adapted PE, Behavior Specialist Services and Mental Health Services Specialist.
Available special education professional opportunities and positions in the SELPA.
SELPA Publications A-Z
See our alphabetized list of all publications and where to find them on this website.
Copyright © 2002 Ventura County SELPA. All rights reserved. For any questions, comments or suggestions regarding the VC SELPA web site please e-mail WEBMASTER
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