What the SELPA provides

In 1977, all school districts and county offices of education in California were required to form regional consortiums to ensure that all students with disabilities have access to the full range of special education programs and services. Each of these regions became known as a Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). Today, there are over 125 SELPAs across the state, varying in size, scope, and governance structure.

Each SELPA develops and implements a Local Plan that describes how it will provide special education services in accordance with federal and state laws. These plans outline the organization’s governance, funding allocation, and procedures to ensure a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all eligible students.

Our Role and Responsibilities

WOCCSE provides leadership, coordination, and support in the following areas:

Ensuring access to appropriate programs and services for students with disabilities
Program and curriculum development
Professional learning and staff development
Fiscal management and allocation of special education funds
Data collection, reporting, and analysis
Development and monitoring of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements
Support for the Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
Coordination of state and local compliance monitoring systems
Facilitation of dispute resolution and interagency collaboration
Program evaluation and continuous improvement initiatives
Promotion of community awareness and family engagement

Through collaboration and shared commitment, WOCCSE and its member districts strive to ensure that every student with a disability receives the individualized support and opportunities needed to thrive in school and beyond.

For more information and each SELPA’s contact information, please go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/as/caselpas.asp