Fall Newsletter
This fall, Charter SELPA's Program Support team hosted regional Lunch & Learn gatherings across California — bringing together special education teams from the North State, Sacramento, Bay Area, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Orange County, and San Diego regions. Each meeting created space to collaborate, share best practices, and deepen our collective commitment to students with disabilities. Here's a look at what happened, plus details on the Central Valley gathering on November 17, 2026. Click on any of the regions below to read more.
Shared Across All Regions: Key Topics
Prior Written Notice (PWN) — Know When It's Required
PWN is required any time the LEA proposes or refuses a change related to identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of FAPE (34 CFR §300.503 | Ed. Code §56500.4). Seven required elements must be present in every PWN.
PWN Triggers include: initial eligibility, eligibility category change, initial evaluation consent, reevaluation consent, IEE requests, placement changes, graduation/certificate of completion, changes to IEP services, disciplinary removals over 10 days, and revocation of parental consent.
New Requirements for Nonpublic School/Agency Partners
NPS: 15-day notice to CDE for out-of-state placements required. SB 373 added a quarterly phone call requirement for students placed out-of-state (conducted confidentially between LEA and student). Site Visit Form (revised 2026) must be provided to CDE within 60 days of all visits. Parent notification required for changes in certification status. Procedural Safeguards must now be provided to both parent and pupil.
NPA: NPAs are not authorized to provide Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI). All related services must be delivered by an LEA employee or a CDE-approved NPA. A Master Contract between the NPA and LEA is required; an ISA is required for each student and must be updated when services change.
Hot Cases Every Director Should Know
L.B. v. San Diego USD (9th Cir. 2026): Active parental engagement maintains the LEA's duty to offer FAPE even during a unilateral private placement. Requesting an IEP meeting = requesting an IEP document. LEAs must maintain a formal written offer of FAPE on record whenever parents remain engaged.
Yuba City USD (OAH 2025): Classroom observation in the learning environment is required under 34 C.F.R. § 300.310(a) when assessing SLD — not discretionary. Skipping it is a fatal legal error that invalidates the evaluation and denies FAPE.
Rocklin Academy (OAH 2026): Emergency IAES requires proving a "substantial likelihood of injury" involving real physical harm. Inflated discipline logs destroy LEA credibility. An IAES must be an actual change in educational location — adding a 1:1 aide in the same classroom does not qualify.
Coastal Academy (OAH 2025): LRE is measured against modified IEP goals, not standard curriculum. A student cannot be removed from general education solely because content requires modification (34 C.F.R. § 300.116). Unilateral placement decisions prior to IEP meetings constitute illegal predetermination.
Professional Learning — Events You Don't Want to Miss
Resilient Roots: Dr. Lisa Damour
November 19, 2026 · 2:00 PM · Virtual
A special conversation with clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Lisa Damour. Practical, research-based insight into adolescent development, mental health, stress, and well-being. Author of Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers.
Outstanding Educator Awards
Nominations Due: November 20, 2026
Honor an extraordinary colleague whose service helps students with disabilities thrive. Four award categories: Outstanding Administrator, Outstanding Educator, Outstanding Paraeducator, and Outstanding Service. Honorees recognized at the Inspiration to Action Symposium, February 11, 2027, Long Beach.
Inspiration to Action Symposium
Marriott Downtown Long Beach, California
Featured Keynote: Mickey Rowe — award-winning bestselling author, actor & speaker. From special education classrooms to Broadway's biggest stage, Mickey brings an unforgettable story of disability, access, resilience, and the strength in being different. "Your differences are your strengths."
Restorative Practices — Day-Long Training
In-person training to strengthen relationships, create meaningful dialogue, and respond to conflict with accountability and care. Participants explore restorative mindsets and community-building circles.
Northern CA: February 25, 2027 · Oakland | Southern CA: February 24, 2027 · Costa Mesa
Facilitated IEP Meetings — Training of Trainers
Statewide two-day training to build confidence guiding challenging, high-emotion IEP meetings. Strengthen facilitation and dispute resolution skills, practice strategies through realistic scenarios.
Northern CA: Oakland, April 5 & 6, 2027 | Southern CA: Temecula, April 19 & 20, 2027
IEP in a Minute Series for Case Managers
Individual web modules (under 10 minutes each) for each page of the IEP, aligned with the Thread of Educational Benefit. Covers Assessment Plan, Notice of Meeting, Eligibility, Transition Pages 1 & 2, Present Levels, Special Factors, Statewide Assessments, Goals, FAPE Services, FAPE Ed. Setting, and Parent Consent.
"Every student with a disability deserves not just access, but genuine opportunity to succeed and thrive."
Regional Meeting Recaps
North State
What We Covered
The North State meeting focused on Prior Written Notice (PWN): when it is required, its seven required elements, and best practices for writing an effective notice. Participants used AI tools to generate a PWN template in a hands-on activity, and the session addressed data privacy, risks in written communication, and responsible AI use in special education.
Key Takeaway
Effective PWNs clearly document the IEP team's decisions and rationale. AI can support drafting, but professional judgment, accuracy, and data privacy come first.
Sacramento
What We Covered
The Sacramento meeting covered Restorative Practices, AI in Education, and the Sac Scoop, which highlighted SELPA events and resources. Partners used a Fishbowl activity to practice navigating difficult parent conversations, then explored Gemini Notebook tips from Jessica Sprinkles along with guidance on data privacy and responsible AI use.
Key Takeaway
Restorative practices and AI tools require intentional, responsible use. Neither replaces professional judgment, but both can strengthen daily practice.
Bay Area
What We Covered
The Bay Area meeting focused on Prior Written Notice (PWN): when it is required, its seven elements, and how to write one effectively, including a hands-on AI template activity. It also covered NPA/NPS reminders, such as SB 373 quarterly calls for out-of-state students and the updated site visit form, and introduced a shared NPS/NPA/RTC Providers Resource Sheet.
Key Takeaway
Clear, complete PWNs are essential compliance protections, and AI can speed drafting without replacing judgment. The shared provider sheet helps LEAs make informed placement decisions together.
Central Valley
Upcoming Event
Join Charter SELPA's Central Valley region for our in-person Lunch & Learn on November 17, 2026 in Stockton, CA. Connect with local special education teams, share best practices, and explore Charter SELPA's latest resources and professional learning opportunities.
Los Angeles
What We Covered
The Los Angeles meeting centered on behavior support. Partners shared what Tier 1 (Universal) practices look like at their schools, what has worked, and what SELPA support would help most. The group also rated NPA partners on communication, billing, service consistency, and responsiveness.
Key Takeaway
Sharing real experiences with NPA partners, both positive and challenging, helps the whole region make better placement decisions.
Inland Empire
What We Covered
The Inland Empire meeting featured Specialized Therapy Services (STS) presenting "Connection Before Correction: A Path from Regulation to Restoration." Presenters explained how spotting early signs of dysregulation and adjusting demands or supports can prevent escalation, and why students must be regulated before a restorative conversation that pairs connection with accountability.
Key Takeaway
STS's message aligns with SELPA's Universal Supports for Student Behavior: Restorative Practices series, which centers relationships, regulation, and intentional adult responses.
Orange County
What We Covered
Orange County's meeting highlighted foster youth with disabilities, with an LEA spotlight from Journey School and foster student supports from Scholarship Prep. OCDE Foster Youth Services shared that California foster youth graduate at 63.6% versus 86.7% of non-foster peers, and that 615 students with disabilities across the SELPA are foster youth.
Key Takeaway
Students with disabilities who are also foster youth face compounded barriers; knowing the data and partnering with county supports improves outcomes.
San Diego
What We Covered
The San Diego meeting featured Riss Thompson of Lives in the Balance, who introduced Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS), Dr. Ross Greene's approach to concerning behavior. She emphasized identifying the skills and unresolved problems behind unmet expectations, the limits of punitive discipline, and the message that "kids do well if they can."
Key Takeaway
CPS pairs well with SELPA's data-collection tools, behavior resources, and Strategic Behavioral Intervention modules. Continue learning through Pathways to Professional Learning.
Key Contacts & Resources
| Need | Contact / Resource |
|---|---|
| SELPA General | (530) 295-2462 / (800) 524-8100 | charterselpa.org |
| Data / SEIS | selpadata@edcoe.org | (530) 295-2463 |
| Business / Fiscal | charterselpabusiness@edcoe.org |
| Membership | selpamembership@edcoe.org |
| Events / Registration | events@edcoe.org | EDCOE Events Portal |
| Professional Learning Catalog | edcoe.my.site.com/edcoeevents |
| On-Demand Learning | charterselpa.org > Professional Learning > On-Demand |
| Program Support Resources | charterselpa.org > Partner Services > Program Support |