What is a SELPA?
In California all local education agencies and county school offices are required to belong to a SELPA to address the needs of all children with disabilities. All SELPAs have the same basic goal: to deliver high quality special education programs and services to students with disabilities in the most effective, efficient, and cost effective manner practicable. In general there are two types of SELPAs: a single district SELPA and a multi-district SELPA. The Desert/Mountain SELPA is a multi-district SELPA and as such operates a continuum of programs to meet the needs of students birth to age 22.
The Desert/Mountain SELPA is a support services office to participating districts and serves as a resource to the community on issues related to special education. The Desert/Mountain SELPA is the liaison to school districts to consult in the area of effectiveness of special education through review and modification, coordinate services among schools and community resources, and provide professional development to school administrators, teachers and paraprofessionals. The Desert/Mountain SELPA also serves as the sponsor for the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) which is a forum for collaboration among school administrators, teachers, parents and community partners. The CAC provides several community trainings throughout each year regarding children with exceptional needs.
For more information about California SELPAs, visit the California Department of Education.
Participating Districts in the Desert/Mountain SELPA