A collaborative partnership of

school districts, staff, students, parents/families, and community agencies

Supporting Equitable Learning, Programs and Access

for ALL students.

The Ventura County SELPA has a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) that facilitates communication between districts and families, has regular meetings to discuss issues with SELPA leadership, and provides parent trainings on topics such as the IEP process, behavior strategies, life after high school and social skills. The CAC promotes services and resources for special education students and their families.

Monday

May 20, 2024

4 – 6 PM

Members of the public are always welcome to attend CAC meetings and give pubic comments.

To receive Meeting Notices Click Here.

On behalf of the Ventura County SELPA CAC, we would like to ask for your input as to training needs for parents and caregivers for the 2024-2025 school year.

What is the CAC Survey?

It is the way for the Community Advisory Committee, which is made up of representatives from each of the 21 school districts, to plan for the upcoming year.

We work with the Ventura County Special Education Local Plan Area (the SELPA) to plan parent trainings for the upcoming year.

Your input matters!

Ventura County SELPA Revised Local Plan for the 2024-2025 School Year 30-Day Review:

The Ventura County SELPA is pleased to share the revised Local Plan for the 2024-2025 school year.

The purpose of the Local Plan is to:

• Outline the special education policies/procedures and services that are offered throughout the SELPA.
• Assure access to special education and related services for all individuals with exceptional needs residing within the geographic areas served by the plan
• Assure compliance with all Federal and State codes and statutes

This year, Local Plan Section B: Governance and Administration, Section D: Annual Budget Plan, and Section E: Annual Service Plan and Attachments are the revised sections of the Local Plan.

Public review period April 29 - May 29, 2024. Public may provide input during this time. Direct input to vcselpa@vcoe.org. ​

To nominate someone (Teacher, Student, Parent/Caregiver, Specialist) for "going above and beyond" in serving special education students and/or families please download the application below.

This year, NAMI is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month

with the Take the Moment campaign.

We encourage you to join us in fostering open dialogues, cultivating empathy and understanding.

We also urge you to share our resources to support individuals and families on their journey towards mental wellness. Through "Take the Moment," we shine a spotlight on NAMI's array of signature programs including: NAMI Basics, NAMI Family-to-Family, NAMI Family & Friends, NAMI Homefront, NAMI In Our Own Voice, NAMI Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Support Groups and our invaluable NAMI HelpLine, which is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public.

This campaign also champions the importance of destigmatizing mental health by normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame.

NAMI Mental Health Awareness Toolkit

Each May, National Speech-Language-Hearing Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role of ASHA members in providing life-altering treatment.

ASHA:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Making effective communication, a human right, accessible and achievable for all.

Apraxia Kids envisions a world where every child with apraxia of speech reaches their highest communication potential through accurate diagnosis and appropriate timely treatment. We believe that every child deserves a voice.

However, we know that the first time many people hear “childhood apraxia of speech,” is when their child is receiving the diagnosis. Raising awareness means that upon receiving a diagnosis, a parent is aware of what that means, and the speech therapist is aware of how best to support the child and the family.

What is Apraxia?

Apraxia is a motor speech disorder that makes it hard to speak. It can take a lot of work to learn to say sounds and words better.

Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Apraxia of Speech:

Not all children with CAS are the same. Your child may show some or all of the signs below. You should talk to your doctor and see an SLP if your child is older than 3 years and:

• does not always say words the same way every time;
• tends to put the stress on the wrong syllable or word;
• distorts or changes sounds; or
• can say shorter words more clearly than longer words.

Children with CAS may have other problems, including

• difficulty with fine motor skills;
• delayed language; or
• problems with reading, spelling, and writing.

PWS Awareness Month is an opportunity for us to come together

as a community, show our unity and strength, and help educate the

world on PWS and our need for continued research to find treatments.

What is PWS?

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a variable and complex genetic neurobehavioral disorder resulting from abnormality on the 15th chromosome. It occurs in males and females equally and in all races. Prevalence estimates range from 1:15,000 to 1:25,000.

Signs and Symptoms:

PWS typically causes low muscle tone, short stature if not treated with growth hormone, cognitive deficits, incomplete sexual development, problem behaviors, and a chronic feeling of hunger which, coupled with a metabolism that utilizes drastically fewer calories than normal, can lead to excessive eating and life-threatening obesity

Williams syndrome awareness month aims to increase understanding and support for individuals with Williams syndrome, a rare genetic condition.

What is Williams syndrome?

Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic condition that is present at birth and can affect anyone. It is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning challenges.

Signs and Symptoms:

These often occur side by side with striking verbal abilities, highly social personalities, and an affinity for music. WS occurs equally in males and females and in all cultures worldwide. The following resources will provide details about the many facets of Williams syndrome.

On June 30, 2022, new legislation in California went into effect that states that local education agencies (LEAs) should offer all qualifying students with disabilities a new pathway to a high school diploma. This legislation was amended on July 10, 2023. This new information alert answers the most common questions!

Wednesday, May 8

12 – 12:30 PM

Join the SELPA Family and School Collaboration Team and Rainbow Connection Family Resource and Empowerment Center staff for a lunch chat.

Bring your questions about special education and the IEP process.

The Pathways to Partnership consortium envisions a statewide educational community with the necessary skill sets to prevent, reduce, and resolve conflicts building trust and mutual understanding between families and educational agencies.

Pathways to Partnership provides professional learning and continuous improvement for educators and families throughout California with the goal of building capacity, expertise, and resources in the prevention and resolution of conflict with a student-centered focus. Visit our website for professional development opportunities at no cost to participants.

May 14, 2024

10 AM

Come learn about Special Education and connect with

Rainbow Connection Family Resource Center/Family Empowerment Center.

There will be a Q&A session at the end of this

informative presentation.

Rainbow Connection offers training sessions to help parents and caregivers keep track of their child's paperwork!

Please call for more information:

Rainbow Connection

805-485-9643

Are you looking for a replacement for the Abilities Awareness Kit? Are you looking for a way to celebrate people with disabilities? Are you looking for a way to foster #DisabilityPride?

This kit is for you!

This kit was created and curated by Conejo Valley Unified School District's Special Education District Advisory Committee

Ventura County SELPA is committed to supporting families and districts as they work towards early resolution options. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provides a neutral environment and a variety of choices and utilizes consultation, collaboration, and communication to resolve disagreements, preserve relationships and maintain focus on the needs of our students. ADR allows the decision-making process to stay in the hands of the family and district.

Transition Resources

Special Education Rights at Age of Majority

Transition Information For Students

Transition Agency Padlet

Educationally Related Social Emotional Services (ERSES)

Social Emotional Services

Social Emotional Continuum

Residential Care Fact Sheet

Rainbow Connection serves children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families, the professionals who work with them, and their communities, families of children and young adults with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 22 navigating special education and the IEP process throughout Ventura County.

Rainbow Connection believes that every person should be valued, respected, and given the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Rainbow Connection is dedicated to offering understanding, support, information, education, and resources to all members of the community in both English and Spanish.

Email: rainbow@tri-counties.org
Website: https://rainbowconnectionfrc.weebly.com/
Phone: 805-485-9643
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rainbowconnectionfrc

Tri-Counties Regional Center is one of twenty-one non-profit regional centers in California providing lifelong services and supports for people with developmental disabilities residing in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

TCRC provides person and family-centered supports for individuals with developmental disabilities to maximize opportunities and choices for living, working, learning, and recreating in the community.

Are you eligible?

Early Start Program – Newborn to Age 3, No Referral Needed

Are you concerned about your child's development? Does any aspect of their speech, physical abilities, behavior, or any other area seem delayed? We want you to know that the Tri-Counties Regional Center Early Start program is here to identify and treat developmental delays in children 0-3 years of age. These services are free; there is no cost to you. Please share the word that anyone may refer to our Early Start program. If you are concerned about your child’s development, visit our Connect with an Intake Coordinator web page. Learn more about our Early Start program here.

Register Here For Regional Email Alerts

Oxnard

2401 East Gonzales Road, Oxnard, CA 93036

(805) 485-3177 (800) 664-3177 FAX (805) 988-9521

Simi Valley

2635 Park Center Drive, Suite A, Simi Valley, CA 93065

(805) 522-8030 (800) 517-2524 FAX (805) 522-8142

Fillmore

970 W. Ventura Street, Fillmore, CA 93015

(805) 292-1101 (844) 926-5992 FAX (805) 292-1103

Welcome to SCDD!

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and supports they need.

Consumers know best what supports and services they need to live independently and to actively participate in their communities. Through advocacy, capacity building and systemic change, SCDD works to achieve a consumer and family-based system of individualized services, supports, and other assistance.

Vision:

Californians with developmental disabilities are guaranteed the same full and equal opportunities for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as all Americans.

Mission:

The Council advocates, promotes and implements policies and practices that achieve self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion in all aspects of community life for Californians with developmental disabilities and their families

The Ventura County SELPA office is responsible for the

implementation of the Ventura County Special Education Local Plan, and for ensuring a free appropriate public education to all students with identified disabilities according to the

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Joanna V. Della Gatta - Executive Director

Sarah Fontenot - Administrative Assistant III

Regina Reed - Director of Personnel Development

Anabel Lopez-Penny - Administrative Assistant II

Ana Teran - Administrative Assistant II

Kerry Newlee, Director, Technical Support and Transition

Lisa Garcia - Administrative Assistant II

Jeanine Murphy - Director, Family & School Collaboration

Lisa Garcia - Administrative Assistant II

Nick Vlahos - Director

Peter Aguirre - Program Specialist

Email: vcselpa@vcoe.org
Website: www.vcselpa.org
Location: 5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo, CA, USA
Phone: 805-437-1560
Facebook: https://facebook.com/VenturaCOE
Twitter: @VenturaCOE