SELPA Roles

  • The Marin County SELPA provides direct and indirect support to Local Education Agencies in fiscal, legal and compliance issues. The SELPA operates through an Operational Steering Committee (OSC), comprised of representative school district superintendents. The OSC is supported by an Advisory Steering Committee, comprised of Special Education Directors, a Business Advisory Committee, comprised of district business officials and a Special Education Advisory Committee, comprised of parents, staff and other interested parties.

    It is the Marin County SELPA’s responsibility to assure program availability for all students with disabilities in the school-age population regardless of the disability. It is incumbent upon the SELPA to see that a continuum of programs and services are available to meet the unique needs of each student with a disability, to assist in Intra-SELPA and Inter-SELPA placements, and to provide technical assistance and administrative support for the requirements of Federal and State laws.

    The SELPA is responsible for assuring the following:

    • All general education resources are considered and, where appropriate, utilized on a local or regional basis to meet the needs of students with disabilities;
    • A system exists at the regional level for identification, assessment, and placement of students with special needs and the implementation of programs to support them; and
    • An annual compliance monitoring system is implemented, that continues to assure non-compliant items are identified continue to be rectified.

    Program Managers play a critical role in both SELPA and LEA special education operations. Their responsibilities include the following:

    • Providing support to local educational agencies through case management services;
    • Providing or participating in staff development, program development, and innovation of special methods and approaches designed for students with special needs; and
    • Facilitating meetings to assure pupils have full educational opportunities.

    The SELPA responsibility is met through a network of cooperative agreements among LEAs and agencies. The SELPA Office coordinates this network and provides a focal point for the school district, student and/or family seeking information related to the provision of special education services.