In 1977, all school districts and county school offices in California were required to form geographical regions of sufficient size and scope to provide for all special education service needs of students residing within the region’s boundaries. Each region became known as a Special Education Local Plan Area, or SELPA.  Learn more by clicking the video at the right.  

Today, there are 136 SELPAs in California. SELPA governance structures vary in form, including models for Multi-District SELPAs, Multi-District/County Office SELPAs, Single District SELPAs, Multi-District/Multi-County SELPAs, County SELPAs with Joint Powers Agreements, and Charter only SELPAs.  Each SELPA's comprehensive Local Plan describes how it provides special education services pursuant to Education Code.

Responsibilities of the SELPA include such things as:

• Ensuring programs/services are available for all children with disabilities
• Curriculum/Program Development Support
• Surrogate Parent Training
• Community Advisory Committee Support
• Management Information Systems
• Transition Planning
• Personnel Development
• Budget Planning and Review Evaluation
• Interagency Coordination
• Program Specialists
• Community Awareness
• Program Coordination
• Evaluation

All SELPAs have the same basic goal. . . to deliver high quality special education programs and services to the students with disabilities in the most effective, efficient, and cost effective manner practicable.