Special Education Services

What is “Child Find”?

The purpose of Child Find is to identify, locate, and evaluate children and adults birth through 21 years of age who are suspected of having or have a diagnosed disability or developmental delay in order to provide appropriate special education services under the law.

Child Find English

Child Find Spanish

Child Find Vietnamese

Procedural safeguards in special education are the legal protections provided to students with disabilities and their parents under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These safeguards ensure that parents have a voice in their child's education and that the special education process is fair and transparent. They cover areas like evaluation, placement, and dispute resolution, ensuring parents are informed and have the ability to participate in decisions regarding their child's education. 

Parental Safeguards English

Parental Safeguards Spanish

Parental Safeguards Vietnamese

As a District we believe that the least restrictive environment is when, to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities are educated with children who are not disabled. Special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. 

The South East Santa Clara Special Education Local Plan Area is composed of eleven school districts in Santa Clara County, along with the Santa Clara County Office of Education to form the South East Santa Clara SELPA. The SELPA was created for the purpose of ensuring that quality special education programs and services are available throughout the Valley. This consortium of school districts plans and provides regionalized services for students eligible for Special Education programs and services. The SELPA also provides and coordinates workshops for parents and staff.  The SELPA also has a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) parent group that provides support, information, workshops, and valuable links for parents. For more information about the SELPA and the CAC please contact:

Shelly Ota -- Executive Director of the South East Santa Clara SELPA

Helen Huynh - Program Administrator for South East Santa Clara SELPA

Michele Villarreal - Program Administrator for South East Santa Clara SELPA

Annual Budget and Services Plans, Public Hearing Notices, and Executive Council Meeting agendas can be found here: https://www.mpesd.org/community/south-east-selpa/selpa

South East Santa Clara SELPA Local Plan: https://www.mpesd.org/community/south-east-selpa/selpa-local-plan

The District coordinates referrals, assessment, and identification of children from age 3 to 5 years of age who may be in need of special education services. For eligible children, the continuum of program and service options include Preschool Early Intervention, Designated Instructional Service (DIS) speech and language services, and Special Day Classes (including Autism Special Day Classes). Special Education services for preschool age children are a combination of the recommended practices of Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education with the emphasis on high quality curriculum with systematic individual interventions to meet the child's Individual Education Program (IEP) goals and objectives. 

Preschool Assessment Center

1990 Kammerer Ave.

San Jose, CA 95116

(408) 928-7263

Inclusion Collaborative offers FREE individualized supports for parents, teachers, and community members working with children who have disabilities and other needs. 

Inclusion Collaborative Warm Line English

Inclusion Collaborative Warm Line Spanish

Inclusion Collaborative Warm Line Vietnamese