October Family Newsletter

Para ver el Boletín Familiar en español, solo tienes que hacer clic en el enlace que aparece más abajo.🔽

This newsletter is brought to you by the VUSD Special Education Division Team. October recognizes Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, and National Disability Employment Awareness Month—an opportunity to celebrate the strengths, contributions, and diverse needs of individuals with disabilities.

This month, we’re sharing local resources, NCCSE family workshops, and the Transition Resource Fair to help connect students and families with information, services, and opportunities. We hope you find something helpful for your family!

Keep reading to explore this month’s highlights and discover ways we can support you and your student.

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

• https://ndss.org/down-syndrome-awareness-month

• https://ncld.org/ld-awareness-month/

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

• https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam

It was a great evening shared with families. Thank you, SEPTA, for your support and partnership.

I am Michelle Ohnstad, parent of a 21 year old young woman at VATC. I have been a part of this district for around 18 years; our three kids have attended 8 different schools in VUSD. I have enjoyed volunteering with the CAC; I also serve on the CAC's executive board at NCCSE and also volunteer for the San Diego Regional Center's Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee. As my daughter will soon age out, this will be my last school year on the CAC - it's been an honor to serve as a voice for parents in VUSD.

My "why" is my daughter, who is bright and creative and has grown immensely since her days as a 3 year old at California Avenue School. She knows way more about Photoshop than I do and she is learning animation and character design through online classes. She will also finish her diploma this coming spring. We are all very proud of her!

I hope you all have a fantastic school year and that you will reach out to us if you need information. I can assure you from my experience that your family has the best special ed team in San Diego - our VUSD teachers, paraprofessionals and staff really care about your kiddo and they will move mountains when needed.

6:00 - 6:30pm Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Public Meeting

6:45 - 8:00pm Family Presentation: Supporting Social-Emotional Needs Through the IEP

In-Person: North County Regional Education Center

255 Pico Avenue, San Marcos, CA 92069

Can't attend in person? Watch online:

https://sdcoe.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_669JzLmyRiaQexyN4wBzOQ

As a parent to a child with special needs, you may have some questions regarding your student’s Individualized Education Plan, also known as an IEP. NCCSE workshop series is virtual and designed to guide families through each stage of the IEP process. Please join them at their next session.

• Oct. 15 - Offer of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) 12-1PM
• October 22 - Parent Engagement and Participation 12-1PM

To receive the Zoom link please register: https://sdcoe.k12oms.org/884-285001

This session explores planning for employment, postsecondary education, independent living, inclusive college opportunities, and adult services. Learning about and preparing for possibilities as students move into adulthood. Presented in partnership with California Transition Alliance.

Registration:

• https://scoe.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dmW8X9tWSDm30BDy5Gz45w#/registration
• Interpretation available

NCCSE Transition Fair will connect students and families with resources and information about employment, education, adult services, and more.

Save the date for, Saturday October 24, from 10am to 12pm

In-Person: 255 Pico Ave, San Marcos 92069.

VUSD families are cordially invited to attend the SEPTA upcoming family events!

For more information, please contact SEPTA at : vistaunifiedsepta.com

If your child qualifies for transportation services through their IEP and will require transportation for the 2026–2027 school year, please complete the Annual Transportation Form. The form was emailed to families.

Once transportation arrangements have been finalized, the Transportation Department will contact families.

If you need to make changes to a previously submitted transportation form 2026-27, please submit a new online form with the updated information.

Please note: Transportation services are only available to students whose IEP includes transportation as a related service.

Transportation forms for students continuing at Cal Ave and VATC for the 2026–2027 school year will be provided separately by each school site, not by the Special Education Department.

• VUSD Special Education

• VUSD California Avenue School

• VUSD Vista Adult and Transition Center (VATC)

• VUSD Family Engagement Network (FACE)

• VUSD Student Support Services

• VUSD Transportation Services

• VUSD Adult School

These resources are provided for your information only and are not officially endorsed or recommended by the Vista Unified School District, Special Education. This list may not include every available resource. If you're looking for more support, please feel free to reach out to 211 San Diego, the Exceptional Family Resource Center, or the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego, which are listed below.

🔗Exceptional Family Resource Center (EFRC)

A parent-driven organization providing personalized IEP coaching, parent-to-parent mentoring, and expert workshops (available in English & Spanish).

https://efrconline.org/

🔗North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE)

Learn about special education resources, free parent workshops, and the Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

https://www.nccse.org/

🔗Parents Helping Parents (PHP)
Learn about special education, public benefits, important transitions, assistive technology, and more.

https://www.php.com/

🔗San Diego Regional Center (SDRC)

The San Diego Regional Center is one of 21 regional centers in California that provides support and services to persons with developmental disabilities.

https://www.sdrc.org/

🔗Seeds of Partnership
A California Department of Education project offering fantastic webinars, parent checklists, and tools designed to strengthen the partnership between families and educators.

https://www.seedsofpartnership.org/index.html

🔗Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego
Connects families to local opportunities. They publish the Flourishing Families guide (with over 1,300 local resources) and host all-inclusive family events.

https://specialneedsresourcefoundationofsandiego.com/

🔗TASK

At TASK, we empower families and individuals with disabilities by providing the tools and resources they need to navigate special education and related services. From Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultations to assistive technology, we’re here to guide and support you every step of the way.

https://taskca.org/

🔗The ARC San Diego

A non-profit organization supporting families of children and adults with disabilities through early intervention, family respite services, and inclusive recreation.

https://www.arc-sd.com/

🔗https://edjoin.org/vistausd

Location: District Office, 1234 Arcadia Ave., Vista, CA 92084

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Phone: (760) 726-2170

Email: specialeducationdepartment@vistausd.org

Website: https://www.vistausd.org/departments/educationalexcellence/specialeducation