Parent Handbook
The Sonoma Valley Unified School District's Special Education Parent Handbook provides an essential guide for parents navigating the special education process. It includes key sections such as terms and definitions, special education laws, parents' roles, services offered, timelines for assessments, IEP requirements, and more. The handbook also outlines parents' rights, responsibilities, and steps to resolve issues, ensuring a collaborative approach to support children's educational needs. View the Parent Handbook
Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
CAC Mission
The CAC's ultimate goal is to ensure that students succeed in maximizing their potential, receive the best possible education, and have equal access to all services. The CAC collaborates with the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) to ensure that the educational requirements of special education students are met. The CAC serves as a liaison between SELPA, the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE), local districts, families, community members, students, and teachers, so that all voices are heard. The organization also provides consumer education, information, and referral to resources.
More information about CAC and its operations can be found in the CAC Bylaws.
CAC Meetings
All CAC meetings are open to the public. Meetings will be held at the Rohnert Park Education Center, 5860 Labath Ave., Rohnert Park, CA 94928, from 6:30-7:30 pm unless otherwise noted. Each meeting will have a topic and a guest speaker. Be sure to get on the email list to receive an agenda prior to the meeting. Please contact the SELPA office at (707) 524-2750 with inquiries.
The CAC informational brochure includes the meeting dates and topics planned for the Community Advisory Committee. It is available in English and Spanish.
CAC Meetings will be listed in our calendar. For more information regarding these meetings, visit Sonoma County SELPA.
Diagnostic Center, Northern California
Diagnostic Center services are provided by expert, interdisciplinary teams of diagnostic professionals, including educational specialists, speech and language specialists, transition/secondary specialists, school psychologists, clinical psychologists, and pediatricians who address the unique educational needs of Northern California's most difficult-to-serve students enrolled in special education programs.
Organizations for Specific Disabilities
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children is the largest professional organization devoted to children with disabilities. The website provides a wealth of information regarding IDEA, national and state conferences and workshops, federal legislation and policy issues, publications and products, career connections, and the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education.
Council for Learning Disabilities
CLD is one of the largest professional support and advocacy organizations for learning disabilities in the country.
International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
IDA is the largest organization devoted to reading disabilities (dyslexia). The site provides many useful documents, links, and related information for parents and professionals.
LD Online
This specialized site is devoted to issues related to Learning Disabilities. Very current information, updated daily, with links to every major learning disabilities organization in the country.
Learning Disabilities Association of California
LDA-CA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization of parents, professionals, and adults with learning disabilities. Its purpose is to promote and support the education and general welfare of children and adults of potentially normal intelligence who manifest learning, perceptual, and/or behavioral handicaps.
Center for Parent Information & Resources
The National Information Center is a clearinghouse for information regarding programs for children with disabilities. Over 400 overheads regarding IDEA implementation are available for training purposes.
Parents Helping Parents (PHP)
PHP is a comprehensive, not-for-profit family resource center run for and by parents of children with special needs.
Important Parent and Student Information.
The following publications are available in PDF format from the Sonoma County SELPA:
brochure in English and Spanish
brochure in English and Spanish
For more information about these documents, contact the Sonoma County SELPA at (707) 524-2750
California Family Empowerment Centers on Disability
Sonoma, Napa and Solano County
Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center
Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center is a non-profit organization for families of children with disabilities. Founded in 1983, it serves families in northern California, primarily in Marin, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties. Recognizing that parents are the best advocates for their children, Matrix strives to strengthen the supportive and advocacy roles of parents by offering support, information and training. For more information, go to http://www.matrixparents.org.
Secondary Transition Planning
North Bay Regional Center contracts with direct service providers to support individuals with disabilities to become more independent during and after their journey through public school.
The California Department of Education offers Resources and guidelines to assist youth with disabilities as they transition from school to adult life, including education and training, employment and independent living.
The Sonoma County of Education transition program "is designed to teach functional life skills and entry-level work skills to special education students and support their growth into adulthood". (This program requires a referral from your District. Please reach out to your teacher to find out more information.)
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