Community Advisory Committee
What is the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education?The purpose of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is to establish a local forum to active parent and community involvement in the provision of special education within the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). The CAC advises the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) on the development, review, and implementation of the Local Plan. The State Education Code mandates that each SELPA must have a CAC and that a majority of the CAC members be parents.
Our Mission:
- Enhance the education for all students with disabilities
- Increase understanding of Special Education issues.
- Build the advocacy skills of our family/caregiver-community through education and support.
CAC Meetings
Starting in October 2021, meetings will be held on the fourth Monday each month from 6:30PM-8:00PM.
Location: Emery Center for Community Life, Building C Multipurpose Room
4727 San Pablo Avenue Emeryville, CA 94608
Upcoming Meetings for 2021-22:
- September 27, 2021 6-7:30 (last meeting via zoom)
- October 25, 2021
- November 24, 2021
- January 24, 2022
- February 28, 2022
- March 28, 2022
- April 25, 2022
- May 23, 2022
- June 27, 2022
| Meeting Date | Flyer/Agenda | Minutes |
| September 27, 2021 6-7:30 (last meeting via zoom) | ||
| August 23, 2021 | ||
| August 10, 2021 Special Meeting |
Meeting information from previous years can be found here.
We need your voice
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Join our monthly meetings
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Suggest topics for the agenda | Membership applications open now! |
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Make your voice heard and help advise special education in your school district. Our monthly meetings always have time for public comment.
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Do you have a suggestion for the agenda at the CAC monthly business meeting? Please contribute ideas 2 weeks before the monthly meeting. | Become a board-appointed voting member of the CAC. Membership can be a great way to support students in our region and influence policy. Applications close October 3, 2021 for two-year terms starting January 2022. |
Training Opportunities
| Santa Clara SELPA Mini-ADR Conference--September 23 & 24, 2021 9:00AM-3:00PM: Click here to register.
October 16 & 23, 2021 9:00AM-12:30 AM - Vision for the Future: Postsecondary Education Opportunities for Students with Disabilities English Flyer, Spanish Flyer, Video |
North Region SELPA CAC Local Plan Orientation Learn about why local plans and SELPAS exist, their purpose, and more. Hosted by Cheryl Theis from DREDF on March 27, 2021. Viewing this orientation is required training for all CAC voting members. |
Current membership and committees
We welcome families, educators, and community members of special education students in Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emery, and Piedmont Unified School Districts. Help us define our goals for the next year. Volunteer for sub-committees centering around education, advocacy, and more. Attend our monthly meetings.
2020-21 Officer positions
| Name | |
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Chair(s)
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Kelley Callahan &
Jocelyne Penn
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| First Vice Chair | Shari Washburn |
| Second Vice Chair | Alaa Muhsin |
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Secretary
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Charlene Reis |
You can reach the full group of officers by emailing Officers@NorthRegionSELPACAC.org
2020-21 Voting members
| District | Name |
| Alameda | Caroline Brossard, Alaa Muhsin |
| Albany | Kathleen Marte, Kelley Callahan |
| Berkeley | Shari Washburn, Lindsay Nofelt |
| Emery | Jocelyne Penn, Alfie Maguire |
| Piedmont | Charlene Reis, Sabrina Smith |
You can reach the full group of voting members by emailing Members@NorthRegionSELPACAC.org
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Education
In 2021, we are focusing on building the strength of the CAC. We hope to build a quarterly education series focusing on supporting families. We are planning a number of events to build community, strengthen parent involvement in the IEP and 504 process, and grow cross-District connection. |
Advocacy
Our Goal is to enhance the channels of communication between schools, parents, and related agencies. We also seek to encourage meaningful communication among school administrators, the Boards of Education, parents, and the communities. |
Membership and Engagement
The Membership and Engagement Committee is focused on expanding membership, particularly in historically underserved communities, so that the voices of parents/caregivers across the SELPA can impact how special education is delivered in our Districts. |
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You can reach the CAC education
committee by clicking here. |
You can reach the CAC advocacy
committee by emailing clicking here. |
You can reach the CAC membership and engagement committee by emailing clicking here.
If you have an idea for a Membership event, or would like to have a CAC Member speak to your group about the CAC, please fill out our form.
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North Region SELPA CAC By-Laws
Mission and Duties of the CAC
Understand the mission, duties and guidelines for the North Region Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Community Advisory Committee (CAC). These By-Laws were revised March 2021 in order to be more inclusive and expand representation in our membership.
Stay in touch
Sign up for CAC news
Anyone interested in the education of students with disabilities in Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Piedmont School Districts should sign up to get news from the North Region SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC)! The group is made of parent volunteers tasked with advising the Local Plan area, educating parents, and advocating for our community.
The CAC will be using the list to share news about special education in our community, advocacy initiatives, upcoming events and meetings (including parent training) and stories spotlighting people who do great work in special education. You will also get reminders about meetings and when to submit agenda items. Your personal information will never be shared.