Jessica: Have You Hugged Your SELPA Contact Today?

Every county (in California, at least) has at least one Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). This group is collectively my one-stop-shopping experience for all things special ed. In fact, my SELPA regional contact is the person who first told me about the Council for Exceptional Children, so you know they’re awesome! During the last two school years, I attended trainings in specific curriculums and effective instructional strategies, IEP writing, and assessment administration — and they were all FREE.

Recently, my SELPA held its annual special education orientation to kick off the school year. While the target group is special educators, any educators within the SELPA were invited to attend. It included a presentation on how the different divisions within SELPA work together to make sure we are providing appropriate services to our students with exceptionalities, as well as a reminder about our new IEP forms and the Student Study Team process.

This year, they added something new to the orientation: a panel of regional support groups who offer services to families of exceptional students. It was great to have some names and faces to go with these service providers I had heard about but not yet had the opportunity to utilize.

I highly recommend getting to know what your SELPA offers because in addition to providing workshops and trainings, they are a wealth of information and support. I’ve called my SELPA regional contact for guidance in providing appropriate instruction to meet individualized student needs, and she has been able to make curriculum recommendations that I was then able to preview through my SELPA library. They have also driven to my school site to offer their expertise at IEP meetings.

Even more importantly, your SELPA looks out for you: One time, I faxed over a data sheet for a student who was supposed to have transition goals, but I did not include them. Our SELPA data specialist called me back and told me to add them in. When I told her I had no idea how to do that (surely not the most promising response she could have heard), she took the time to send me information on how to write appropriate transition goals. All in all, I have found that a good SELPA relationship has played a key role in my job performance.

To end on a lighthearted note, check out this “Acronym Soup” video (you'll need to scroll down a bit) that SELPA showed at our orientation to illustrate why high-hatting special ed lingo might not be getting you anywhere. All I can think to say is, ROTFLOL. . . .

Comments

[Rachael]

Thank you for sharing this amazing information about SELPA. I found your blog very useful because it's a great reminder that there are groups out there at that are willing to help us teachers out. I like that there are workshops helping with IEP's and others that provided other useful information. Also, I really like that there are support groups for the families because I believe all families need some sort of group to help them through understanding and realizing the situation that are in and how to work with their child. I have worked in group homes and in schools and have seen how much stress it puts on parents with a child with a disability. I also like that there are these groups because us teacher's do not have all the answers to everything these families are looking for when in conversation or during IEP's.

[Kim D]

I taught in Calif and now teach in Pa. In this state, the equivalent of a SELPA is the Intermediate Unit. There are IUs all over the state, each providing service to a cluster of districts. The states neighboring Pa (NJ, MD) do not use the IU term. I'm sure each state has something similar to a SELPA; you just might have to look for it under a different name.

[Allisence]

Agreed. This sounds like an awesome resource. I'll definitely be checking around to see if Arizona has something similar.

[Carissa]

I have never heard of programs such as SELPA. This sounds like such a great resource. I am from Minnesota and really want to look and see if my county has a resource like SELPA. It seems that they are very beneficial and more than willing to help. I start student teaching in a few months and am trying to gain any insight on resources and assistance that is out there. I am very nervous to become a new teacher but I feel like with having services like SELPA would ease my mind with entering something new. Thank you so much for sharing about this resource!

[Nicole]

Wow! This seems like a great resource to know about and utilize! I will begin student teaching in a few months so I'm glad to be stocking up on insider tips like this one. I'm always looking for ways to expand my knowledge, make myself more marketable, and ultimately, become a better teacher. Those free workshops and trainings are such a great opportunity to do so. I'm also glad to know they're there to provide information and help you when you need it. I will definitely have to check in my area to see if something similar is available.