SELPA Information

What is the SELPA?

In 1977, all school districts and county school offices were required to form geographical regions to provide for all special education service needs of children residing within the region boundaries. Each region (Special Education Local Plan Area ­ SELPA) developed a local plan describing how it would provide special education services.

Today, there are approximately 120 SELPAs in the State. Each SELPA must have an Administrative Unit, the legal entity that receives funds and is responsible for seeing that every eligible child receives appropriate services. Costs for the Administrative Unit are provided by special funding from the state called Regionalized Service Funds. Each region determines the funds available and the responsibilities of the SELPA office.

The chief administrator of the SELPA oversees the responsibilities of the SELPA which include such things as:

• ensuring program availability for all children with disabilities
• assistance with understanding compliance requirements
• providing curriculum development and support
• transition planning
• support the Community Advisory Committee
• maintain the student information system

Click on the link below to download Mid-Alameda County's SELPA's Local Plan:

• MAC SELPA Local Plan

MAC SELPA Contacts

Dr. Blaine Cowick, SELPA Director
Special Services
Castro Valley Unified School District
4400 Alma Avenue
Castro Valley, CA 94546
510-537-3000 ext. 1200

Mina Hutchins, Director
Special Education
Hayward Unified School District
24411 Amador Street
Hayward, CA 94540
510-784-2611

David Poeschl, Director
Special Education
San Leandro Unified School District
14735 Juniper Street
San Leandro, CA 94579
510-667-3507

Ed Diolazo, Director
Special Services
San Lorenzo Unified School District
15510 Usher Street
San Lorenzo, CA 94580
510-317-4761

Michelle Hill-Gerow, SELPA Staff Assistant
Castro Valley Unified School District
4400 Alma Avenue
Castro Valley, CA 94546
510-537-3000 ext. 1220