SELPA

Overview

SELPAs in California - What is a Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA)?

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 children residing within the region’s boundaries. Each region became known as a Special Education Local Plan Area – SELPA. Today, there are over 120 SELPAs in the State. The 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. Size and scope also vary across the state. Each SELPA has a Local Plan describing how it provides special education services. Specific components to be included in the Local Plan are delineated in the Education Code.

The SELPA and member local education agencies (LEAs) foster coordination between general and special education for prevention and early intervention of suspected disabilities. The SELPA also ensures appropriate education services for individuals with disabilities by working cooperatively with other public and private agencies to support a full complement of special education services for students. Each SELPA must have an Administrative Unit (also known as the Responsible Local Agency), which serves as the legal entity that receives funds. In some instances, the Administrative Unit is a school district and in other instances it is the county office.

Costs for SELPA operations and the Administrative Unit are provided by funding from the state, which may be augmented by local, federal and state funds. Each region determines the funds available for regionalized services and the responsibilities of the SELPA office. The SELPA policy-making body is designated in the Local Plan to make policy decisions, approve the SELPA budget and Allocation Plan, and direct SELPA operations. Responsibilities of the SELPA include such things as:

Ensuring Program Availability for all Children with Disabilities
Governance Committees, including the Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
Assistance with understanding compliance requirements
Transition Planning
Program Coordination
Fiscal Management
Staff Development
Curriculum Development and Support
Management Information System (CASEMIS) Reporting to the State
Regionalized Services and Program Specialists
Interagency Coordination
Program Evaluation
Budget Planning and Review
Community Awareness

The Tri-City SELPA

Member Districts

Tri-city SELPA Agendas and Public Hearings

Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - November 12, 2025 English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - September 17, 2025 English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - January 17, 2024 English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - February 14, 2024 English Spanish
PUBLIC HEARING ANOUNCEMENT - Annual Budget and Service Plan English & Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - August 28, 2024 English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - October 16, 2024 English Spanish
Community Advisory Council Meeting Agenda - October 18, 2024 English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - November 13, 2024 English Spanish
Community Advisory Committee Agenda - January 6, 2023 English Spanish
Community Advisory Committee Agenda - March 24, 2023 English Spanish
Community Advisory Committee Agenda - April 24, 2023 English Spanish
PUBLIC HEARING ANOUNCEMENT - Annual Budget and Service Plan English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - May 25, 2023 English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - September 27, 2023 English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - September 27, 2023 English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - November 15, 2023 English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - January 21, 2026 English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - February 18, 2026 English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - May 13, 2026 English Spanish
Superintendent's Council Meeting Agenda - June 17, 2026 English Spanish