Next CAC Executive Board meeting:
CAC Meeting
Monday, March 3, 2025
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Members of the public are always welcome to attend CAC meetings and give pubic comments.
To receive Meeting Notices Click Here.
Ventura County SELPA
The Ventura County SELPA is dedicated to providing information and support to families of children with disabilities so that they can be informed partners in the educational process of their children. There are numerous activities and resources that are provided to fulfill that mission.
Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH)
Ventura County Behavioral Health offers services for people looking for help for mental health and substance use issues. We reach out to the general population, those already getting help, and those seeking help.
Rainbow Connection Family Resource and Empowerment Center
Rainbow Connection serves children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families, the professionals who work with them, and their communities, families of children and young adults with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 22 navigating special education and the IEP process throughout Ventura County.
Join Us For An In-Person Experience. Everyone is Welcome to Attend!
Resources for families of at-risk children & youth. Learn about community resources, fees, eligibility requirements, funding streams, etc.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
11:00AM - 4:00PM
VCOE 5100 Adolfo Rd, Camarillo, CA 93012
Click HERE to register for this event. This workshop is FREE! Everyone is welcome to attend.
Saturday, March 1st, 2025
9am-12pm (OPEN HOUSE)
VCOE Conference and Educational Service Center
5100 Adolfo Rd. Camarillo, 93012
Help young adults with disabilities prepare for the quality adult life they envision. Students, parents, teachers, and care providers are invited to join us at the Transition Fair. Meet local agency representatives and gain information to assist with making adult life decisions
Special Presentations:
- Transition Talk (IEP Process)
- Colleges: Accomodations to Support
- College Programs for Students with
- Intellectual/Developmental
- Disabilities
- Self Determination
- Student Center
What is a rare disease?
A disease is rare when it affects less than 1 in 2000 people.
What are the universal challenges faced by those living with a rare disease?
- The lack of scientific knowledge and quality information on the disease often results in a delay in diagnosis.
- The need for appropriate quality health care engenders inequalities and difficulties in access to treatment and care. This often results in heavy social and financial burdens on patients.
- Owing to the broad diversity of disorders and relatively common symptoms which can hide underlying rare diseases, initial
Rare Disease Day is the globally-coordinated movement on rare diseases, working towards equity in social opportunity, healthcare, and access to diagnosis and therapies for people living with a rare disease.
Since its creation in 2008, Rare Disease Day has played a critical part in building an international rare disease community that is multi-disease, global, and diverse– but united in purpose.
Rare Disease Day is observed every year on 28 February (or 29 in leap years)—the rarest day of the year.
February 15th is International Angelman Day!
Every year, over 50 organizations world-wide come together on February 15 to raise awareness for Angelman syndrome and honor our loved ones with AS.
On this page, you’ll find ways you can help spread awareness and educate your community about Angelman syndrome.
What is Angelman Syndrome?
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neuro-genetic disorder that occurs in one in 15,000 live births or 500,000 people worldwide. It is caused by a loss of function of the UBE3A gene in the 15th chromosome derived from the mother.
Angelman syndrome shares symptoms and characteristics with other disorders including autism, cerebral palsy and Prader-Willi syndrome. Due to the common characteristics, misdiagnosis occurs often.
People with Angelman syndrome have developmental problems that become noticeable by the age of 6 – 12 months. Other common signs and symptoms usually appear in early childhood like walking and balance disorders, gastrointestinal issues, seizures and little to no speech. Despite these symptoms, people with Angelman syndrome have an overall happy and excitable demeanor.
An individual with AS will light up a room with their smile and laughter
Honoring Every Story: Respecting Diversity in
Family & Community
Join us for an inspiring and informative conference dedicated to to parents, caregivers and professionals who are passionate about supporting children and youth with emotional challenges.
As individuals each of us are highly complex, culturally diverse, with deeply held values and personal passions. How do we, as students, educators, and parents, both welcome and celebrate cultural ways of knowing, identity development, and acceptance across multiple identities, within
our educational settings.
Registrants: This year there are two sessions with five workshop options each. You are able to choose the workshops you would like to attend during the registration process. Please be sure to complete that portion of your registration as you will be assigned according to your choices. Each session has limited space.
Tuesday, March 6, 2025
9:00AM - 3:00PM
VCOE Conference & Educational Services Ctr.
5100 Adolfo Rd, Camarillo 93012
Conference Rooms: Salon A, B, C
This workshop is FREE. There is no cost to attend this event, however registration is required. Please CLICK HERE to register
Parents and guardians, students, educators, support personnel, and community members are invited to join us in Camarillo for this free in person event, which is going to include:
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion workshops in English and Spanish
- Sessions for educators, parents & community members
- Complimentary refreshments
- Language interpretation provided
Presented by Dr. César Morales
Superintendent of Schools
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Time: 4:00pm - 7:30pm
**FREE EVENT & REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED
(IN-PERSON)
VCOE Conference & Educational Services Center, 5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo, CA 93012
No Cost In-Person Training
6:00PM- 7:30PM
Tri-Counties Regional Center - OXNARD
2401 E. Gonzales Road #100
Oxnard, CA 93036
This session will offer information on transition to adult life through the IEP process. Participants are
encouraged to bring a copy of their most recent IEP and learn more about the process of moving towards adulthood. FREE Workshop in English and Spanish.
To help address concerns surrounding immigration and schools, VCOE has created a web page with information and resources for educators and families.
You can find it in English at www.vcoe.org/rights and in Spanish at www.vcoe.org/derechos.
Alternative Diploma Pathway
In 2022, new legislation in California went into effect that states that local education agencies (LEAs) should offer all qualifying students with disabilities a new pathway to a high school diploma. This legislation was amended in 2023 and clarified by the California Department of Education (CDE) in a 2024 guidance letter and frequently asked questions.
Governor Approves AB 438 Establishing New Postsecondary Goals and Services Requirements for High School Students
Existing law requires local educational agencies to identify, locate, and assess individuals with exceptional needs and to provide those pupils with a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, with special education and related services as reflected in an individualized education program. Existing law requires, beginning not later than the first individualized education program to be in effect when a pupil is 16 years of age, or younger if determined appropriate by the individualized education program team, and updated annually thereafter, the individualized education program to include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals and transition services, as defined, needed to assist the pupil in reaching those goals.
This bill would instead require an individualized education program, commencing July 1, 2025, to include measurable postsecondary goals and transition services, if determined appropriate by a pupil’s individualized education program team, beginning when an individual with exceptional needs is starting their high school experience and not later than the first individualized education program to be in effect when the pupil is 16 years of age, as provided. By imposing additional requirements on local educational agencies in relation to individualized education programs, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Take Your Family To School Week
Celebrating Family Engagement
National PTA’s Take Your Family to School Week, celebrated Feb. 17–21, 2025, is designed to provide families with an opportunity to get more involved in their child’s education and strengthen their partnerships with teachers and administrators. The timing of the week honors the day PTA was founded, Feb. 17, 1897.
Family Engagement Supports Student Success
Research shows that family engagement supports student success. Students with involved parents are more likely to earn higher grades and pass their classes, attend school regularly, have better social skills and go on to post secondary education.
For over 125 years, National PTA has been encouraging families to get more involved in their child’s education.
Help us celebrate PTA’s long legacy of family engagement during National PTA's Take Your Family to School Week by strengthening family-school partnerships using PTA's National Standards.
Celebrate Public Schools Week
Public Schools Week is February 24-28, 2025. It’s an annual week-long celebration dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions and achievements of educators and education advocates in our public schools and the communities they serve. Led by the Learning First Alliance (LFA), a coalition of 12 national education groups with a collective membership exceeding 10 million, Public Schools Week invites the education community, parents, lawmakers and others to join us in spotlighting our nation’s public schools and the dedicated individuals behind them
The Ventura County SELPA recognizes that we can't do our best for our students with disabilities without the care and support of their parents, guardians and others who know and love them. The SELPA and its member districts are committed to involving parents as important members of the team in reviewing assessments and progress and making decisions about their children.
In addition, the SELPA is committed to including parents of children with disabilities in evaluating programs, providing ideas for improvement, and developing educational opportunities for other parents along the way. Our Special Education administrators appreciate your input regarding program improvements and encourage you to call or write with constructive suggestions. In addition, the Ventura County SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is mandated by California Education code to receive input and make recommendations about Special Education programs.
Disability Celebrations Toolkit
Are you looking for a replacement for the Abilities Awareness Kit? Are you looking for a way to celebrate people with disabilities? Are you looking for a way to foster #DisabilityPride?
This kit is for you!
This kit was created and curated by Conejo Valley Unified School District's Special Education District Advisory Committee
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)?
Rainbow Connection Family Resource and Empowerment Center
Rainbow Connection serves children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families, the professionals who work with them, and their communities, families of children and young adults with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 22 navigating special education and the IEP process throughout Ventura County.
Rainbow Connection believes that every person should be valued, respected, and given the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Rainbow Connection is dedicated to offering understanding, support, information, education, and resources to all members of the community in both English and Spanish.
Email: rainbow@tri-counties.org
Website: https://rainbowconnectionfrc.weebly.com/
Phone: 805-485-9643
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rainbowconnectionfrc
Tri-Counties Regional Center
Tri-Counties Regional Center is one of twenty-one non-profit regional centers in California providing lifelong services and supports for people with developmental disabilities residing in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
TCRC provides person and family-centered supports for individuals with developmental disabilities to maximize opportunities and choices for living, working, learning, and recreating in the community.
Early Start Program – Newborn to Age 3, No Referral Needed
Are you concerned about your child's development? Does any aspect of their speech, physical abilities, behavior, or any other area seem delayed? We want you to know that the Tri-Counties Regional Center Early Start program is here to identify and treat developmental delays in children 0-3 years of age. These services are free; there is no cost to you. Please share the word that anyone may refer to our Early Start program. If you are concerned about your child’s development, visit our Connect with an Intake Coordinator web page. Learn more about our Early Start program here.
Register Here For Regional Email Alerts
Oxnard
2401 East Gonzales Road, Oxnard, CA 93036
(805) 485-3177 (800) 664-3177 FAX (805) 988-9521
Simi Valley
2635 Park Center Drive, Suite A, Simi Valley, CA 93065
(805) 522-8030 (800) 517-2524 FAX (805) 522-8142
Fillmore
970 W. Ventura Street, Fillmore, CA 93015
(805) 292-1101 (844) 926-5992 FAX (805) 292-1103
State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)
Welcome to SCDD!
The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and supports they need.
Consumers know best what supports and services they need to live independently and to actively participate in their communities. Through advocacy, capacity building and systemic change, SCDD works to achieve a consumer and family-based system of individualized services, supports, and other assistance.
Vision:
Californians with developmental disabilities are guaranteed the same full and equal opportunities for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as all Americans.
Mission:
The Council advocates, promotes and implements policies and practices that achieve self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion in all aspects of community life for Californians with developmental disabilities and their families
SELPA LEADERSHIP AND STAFF
The Ventura County SELPA office is responsible for the
implementation of the Ventura County Special Education Local Plan, and for ensuring a free appropriate public education to all students with identified disabilities according to the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Joanna V. Della Gatta - Executive Director
Sarah Fontenot - Administrative Assistant III
Regina Reed - Director of Personnel Development
Anabel Lopez-Penny - Administrative Assistant II
Ana Teran - Administrative Assistant II
Kerry Newlee, Director, Technical Support and Transition
Heather Manheim & Jorge Contreras, Workability Program
Lisa Garcia, Administrative Assistant II
Stacey Alvey - Director, Family & School Collaboration
Peter Aguirre - Program Specialist, Family & School Collaboration
Lisa Garcia - Administrative Assistant II
Vacant, VC SELPA Director
Lisa Garcia, Administrative Assistant II
Email: vcselpa@vcoe.org
Website: www.vcselpa.org
Location: 5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo, CA, USA
Phone: 805-437-1560
Facebook: https://facebook.com/VenturaCOE
Twitter: @VenturaCOE