​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​NW SELPA CAC​

​Celebrating 50 years of I.D.E.A.!

Join Us – Make a Difference in Special Education!

Are you passionate about supporting students with disabilities and ensuring their voices are heard? We invite you to become a part of our NW SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC)—a team of parents, educators, and community members working together to support and strengthen special education in our area.

By joining the CAC, you willl have the opportunity to:

• ​Advise the SELPA about the SELPA Local Plan, which guides how special education services are delivered within the SELPA region 
• Encourage community participation and involvement in developing and reviewing the SELPA Local Plan​
• Recommend annual priorities for what the SELPA should focus on
• ​Help parents get informed by providing input on SELPA parent education workshops and trainings sessions to make sure families have the tools and information they need ​
• Support activities on behalf of students with disabilities​
• Encourage other parents of students with disabilities to be involved and share their voices in district parent advisory committees.

Whether you're a parent, educator, student, or community member, your voice and experience are valuable. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive educational system.

Ready to get involved? We'd love to welcome you to the committee. Reach out today to learn more! 

Background

In California, CACs were created via California Education Code (EC) Article 7, Sections 56190–56194 to increase community involvement in the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). CACs serve in an advisory capacity in the development and review of the SELPA Local Plan, annual priorities, parent training and education​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, and other special education-related activities.

CACs are composed mainly of parents, and may include educators, pupils and adults with disabilities, representatives of public and private agencies, and persons concerned with the needs of individuals with disabilities.​

Our NW SELPA CAC represents the following school districts in Santa Clara County: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Cambrian School ​District, Campbell Union School District, Campbell Union High School District, Cupertino Union School District, Fremont Union High School District, Lakeside Joint School District, Loma Prieta Joint Union School District, Los Altos Elementary School District, Los Gatos Union School District, Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District, Luther Burbank School District, Moreland School District, Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District, Mountain View Whisman School District, Palo Alto Unified School District, San Jose Unified School District, Santa Clara County Office of E​ducation, Santa Clara Unified School District, Saratoga Union School District, Sunnyvale School District, Union School District.​  

View NW SELPA CAC Bylaws​.

SELPA Administrators of California CAC Guide

CDE's Constituent's Office

Alternative Dispute Resolution (NW SELPA)

General Meetings

NW SELPA CAC Board Appointed Members 

(coming soon)

2025-26 Events

Past Recorded Events

Highlighted Resouces from High Quality IEPs: 

 

Unlocking Educational Benefit Video Series

                                                                ​

IEP Journey for Families

                                            

Highlighted Resouces from Seeds of Partnership:

Strengthening Partnerships for Students with Disabilities: Webinar Series

Navigating the Special Education Procedural Safeguards- Part 1

Navigating the Special Education Procedural Safeguards- part 2​

Other Resouces: 

California Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Guide 

California Department of Education: Special Education

California Department of Education: Uniform Complain Procedures​

Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)

Pathways to Partnership 

Parents Helping Parents

Special Education Rights of Parents and Children

Special Education Rights of Parents and Children, Available Translations

NW SELPA Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Resources and Training Videos

​Contact us:​

408-453-6621
NMaunder@sccoe.org​

What is CAC?

English 

Spanish 

Vietnamese​

Interested in joining the NW SELPA CAC?

​​​NW SELPA CAC Interest Form​​

​Formulario de interés CAC de Santa Clara NW SELPA​

Biểu mẫu quan tâm Santa Clara NW SELPA CAC

​NW SELPA CAC Parent Handbook 

​2025 Parent Handbook​