Community Advisory Committee

Purpose:

The purpose of the committee shall be to represent broad community interests in providing the most appropriate education for individuals with exceptional needs. The committee shall serve in an advisory capacity as defined in the comprehensive plan for special education.

The Duties of the CAC, its Officers and its Members are to:

1. Advise the SELPA Administrator and the SELPA Steering Committee regarding the developments of the local comprehensive plan and review of programs under the plan.
2. Make recommendations on annual priorities to be addressed under the plan. Assist in parent education.
3. Recruit parents and other volunteers who may contribute to the implementation of the plan.
4. Encourage pupil involvement in the development and review of the local comprehensive plan.
5. Act in support of individuals with exceptional needs.
6. Act as a liaison between the SELPA Administrator and the local communities.

An Effective Community Advisory Committee

• Community Advisory Committees for Special Education were instituted in California as a vital part of California's Master Plan for Special Education.
• California Education Code, defines the membership and the responsibilities of CAC's:
  1. Selection of the Community Advisory Committee

  The special Education Local Plan Area Administrator, or designee, shall serve as ex officio member of the Community Advisory Committee. The Administrator, or designee, acts as the liaison between the Community Advisory Committee, the Steering Committee, and the Board of Directors.

  The Community Advisory committee shall be an ongoing body to provide input to the Steering Committee and the district local governing board. The membership of the Community Advisory Committee shall continue to reflect the balance illustrated in the accompanying composition chart of the Community Advisory committee. Terms of appointment shall meet E.C.56191.

  The local governing board shall appoint their respective Community Advisory Committee members within the balance established.

  When replacing Community Advisory Committee members, the respective special education administration may continue to submit candidates for consideration to their governing boards.

Membership

• Parents of individuals with exceptional needs enrolled in public or private schools
• Parents of other pupils enrolled in schools
• Disabled pupils or adults
• Regular education teachers
• Special education teachers
• Other school personnel
• Representatives of other public and private agencies
• Other persons concerned with individuals with exceptional needs

The East Valley SELPA has made provisions to have a Community Advisory Committee whose selection and composition of members shall comply with legal mandates. Each district superintendent in the East Valley SELPA shall recommend his/her representatives according to the local plan with subsequent approval of the respective Boards of Education. It shall be the responsibility of the East Valley SELPA Steering Committee to ensure that the membership of the CAC is comprised of a majority of parents and, of those, the majority consists of parents of special education students.

Responsibilities

The Community Advisory Committee shall assume the following responsibilities:

1. Advising the Responsible Local Agency administrator regarding the development, amendment and review of the Local Plan
2. Recommending annual priorities to be addressed by the Local Plan
3. Encouraging community involvement in the development and review of the Local Plan
4. Assisting in the parent education and recruiting of parents and other volunteers whom may contribute to the implementation of the Local Plan
5. Supporting activities on behalf of Individuals with Exceptional Needs
6. Assisting parent awareness of the importance of school attendance

In all areas of responsibility related to the Local Plan, the responsibilities will be implemented through regularly scheduled meetings of the Community Advisory Committee. The meeting purpose will be to review legal requirements of the new Local Plan, review draft of the current Local Plan, and receive input from members, including areas of priority to be addressed. Input will be taken both at the CAC meeting and through contact with SELPA personnel before the Local Plan is submitted to the State. All CAC input will be reviewed with the Steering Committee and Board of Directions for their consideration.

To facilitate the implementation of support activities on behalf of Individuals with Exceptional Needs and in increasing parent awareness of the importance of regular school attendance:

1. SELPA personnel will, yearly obtain a needs assessment from CAC members and parents of all Individuals with Exceptional Needs in the SELPA;
2. At the regularly scheduled meetings, SELPA personnel will address the needs identified by CAC members through speakers, and/or other related activities.

To assure parent awareness of Community Advisory Committee activities, announcements of all meetings are mailed to parents of all Individuals with Exceptional Needs in the SELPA. In addition, use of a phone tree assists in informing all Community Advisory Committee members and parents.

For additional information, please contact: Anita Ruesterholtz by e-mail or by calling (909) 252-4507