About Us

Special Education Local Plan Area

SELPA is a Special Education Local Plan Area. We are a group of school districts who together provide special education and related services to our students with disabilities.

Stanislaus SELPA provides local control and accountability for special education and related services.  Stanislaus SELPA provides allocation of special education funds, program and fiscal reporting, compliance and monitoring, professional development, data collection, and the ongoing review of programs. 

In 1977, all school districts and county school offices were mandated to form consortiums in geographical regions of sufficient size and scope to provide for all special education service needs of children residing within the region's boundaries. Each region, Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), developed a local plan describing how it would provide special education services.

SELPAs are dedicated to the belief that all students can learn and that special needs students must be guaranteed equal opportunity to become contributing members of society. SELPAs facilitate high-quality educational programs and services for special needs students and training for parents and educators. The SELPA collaborates with county agencies and school districts to develop and maintain healthy and enriching environments in which special needs students and families can live and succeed.

Stanislaus SELPA has been established for the purpose of serving as a resource in the development of best practices, gathering and disseminating resources and information to county-wide school districts, ensuring quality annual conference sessions, participating as a resource in SELPA's advocacy efforts and encouraging school districts and participation among educational staff.