Strengthening Partnerships for Students with Disabilities Webinar Series

The California Department of Education, Special Education Division, in partnership with the Seeds of Partnership project, invites you to join this engaging webinar series. Whether you are a parent seeking to learn more about special education, related supports, and how to deepen your partnership with educators, or an educator looking for strategies to engage and support families, this webinar series offers a unique opportunity for collective learning. By learning together, we can build stronger connections that empower students to do their best both academically and personally. Parents, educators, administrators, leaders, and parent center staff – all who support students with disabilities should attend this webinar series.

Each session will take place on the fourth Thursday of the month and include a variety of topics, such as strategies for effective communication, ways to strengthen family-school relationships, and insight into systems, programs, supports, best practices, and approaches.

Register today for the next session in this webinar series:

• Supporting Deaf Children’s Language Development from Birth: California Leading the Way (Seeds of Partnership), which will take place on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to noon.

• Subsequent sessions will occur on the fourth Thursday of every month at the same time, excluding November and December.

Additional contact information, resources, and webinar recordings can be accessed on the Seeds of Partnerships E-Learning: Webinar and Video Gallery web page (Seeds of Partnership).

Parent Engagement and the SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

What is the CAC?

Community Advisory Committees are vital components of effective Special Education programs in California.  CACs have specific roles and responsibilities.  Across California, CACs assist in advising the SELPA Governing Board, SELPA Administrator, and Special Education Administration about the Special Education Local Plan, annual priorities, parent education and other Special Education-related activities.  Every Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) is required to establish a CAC.  A SELPA is a consortium that is formed to ensure that the full continuum of Special Education services is available to all eligible students within its boundaries.  It includes an individual district, a group of districts, or districts and a county office(s) of education.  CACs provide an important connection between the community and the SELPA.

Parents comprise a majority of the CAC membership and the majority of these parents are parents of children with disabilities. Other members may include Special Education teachers, general education teachers, other school personnel, other parents, other pupils and adults with disabilities, representatives from related public and private agencies, and school administrators. CAC members are initially selected by their peers, nominated through their district, or participate in an application or voting process. Candidates are then approved by their local Board of Education. The general education population should also be represented on the committee. CAC members should represent not only parents concerned with the quality of Special Education but the entire special education community. As such, the CAC must act responsibly to ensure fair representation and thorough evaluation of the issues and interests handled in the attainment of its goals. A well-rounded CAC membership should have a sound understanding of Special Education laws, issues, programs, and services. An effective CAC then shares this information with the district, the county administration or both, as well as with the community.

The Community Advisory Committee’s responsibilities include advising the policy and administrative entity of the district, SELPA, or county office, regarding the development, amendment, and review of the Local Plan. The Local Plan describes the local policies, procedures and programs that are consistent with state laws, regulations, and policies for Special Education. The CAC acts in an advisory capacity and may recommend priorities or changes to be addressed by the plan. Other responsibilities include, but need not be limited to:

• Encouraging community and parental involvement in the development, review, and implementation of the Local Plan

• Supporting activities on behalf of individuals with exceptional needs

• Assisting in parent awareness of the importance of regular school attendance

• Providing families an opportunity to share resources and support

SELPA Students   SELPA Parents

Who are the 2023-2024 MVSELPA CAC Executive Board Members?

• Community Advisory Committee Chairperson: Loc H. Nguyen 

• Community Advisory Committee Vice Chair: Loc H. Nguyen 

• Community Advisory Committee Secretary:  Sundeep Singh

• Community Advisory Committee Members at Large: TBD

• CAC Teacher Representatives:  Laura Romo

To apply to serve on the Community Advisory Committee, click on the link below

• Application for CAC - English                                

• Application for CAC - Spanish

• Application for CAC - Chinese                              

• Application for CAC - Tagalog

To contact CAC directly, please contact:  celhajj@fusdk12.net

Mission Valley SELPA Community Advisory Committee Bylaws 

MVSELPA Procedure 

CAC presentations 2025-2025