Skip to main content

New to Special Education?

New to Special Education?

You Are Not Alone

If you are noticing that your child is struggling academically, socially, or emotionally, you might be wondering what steps to take next. Navigating the world of special education can feel overwhelming, but you are a vital partner in this journey.

In Sonoma Valley Unified School District, we look at every child individually. Our goal is to work collaboratively with families to ensure every student receives the exact supports and services they need to thrive.

Read on to learn the step-by-step process, understand your rights, and find out exactly how to get started today.

Step 1: Understanding "Child Find"

A colorful illustration of many hands raised in the air.

By federal and state law, school districts are required to locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities (from birth through age 21) who reside within their boundaries. This is known as the Child Find mandate.

If you suspect your child has a physical, mental, learning, or emotional disability that impacts their education, SVUSD will provide a comprehensive evaluation at no cost to your family. This applies to all children, including those attending local public schools, parentally-placed private schools, children who are highly mobile or migrant, and those experiencing housing instability.

Step 2: Who to Contact

The entry point into services depends entirely on how old your child is. Find your child's age group below to see exactly who to contact to get started:

  • If you suspect your infant or toddler has a developmental delay, early intervention services are coordinated and provided through a partnership between California's regional center network and our county education office.

    • Primary Intake & Coordination: Contact the North Bay Regional Center (NBRC) at (707) 755-5113 to request an intake and eligibility assessment. NBRC serves as the central doorway for funding and case management.

    • Local Regional Service Partner: You can also reach out to the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) Infant Program (Early Start) at (707) 524-2763 for localized information regarding infant developmental services in Sonoma County.

    • Note: Once your child reaches age 2 years and 10 months, a transition process begins so that SVUSD can assume responsibility for evaluations and school-based services by their 3rd birthday.

  • If your child is not yet old enough for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Kindergarten and you have received a referral from your child’s pediatricion, or you have concerns regarding their speech and language developement, SVUSD provides specialized preschool screenings.

    • Action: Please contact the district’s Speech-Language Pathologist Jessica Clark for an assessment at (707) 935-4226 or email jclark@sonomaschools.org

  • If your child is currently enrolled in an SVUSD school and you believe they need specialized academic, speech, or emotional support:

    • Action: Reach out directly to your child's school office manager or principal. You can ask to schedule a meeting to discuss general education interventions, or submit a formal written request for a Special Education Assessment.

  • Our Child Find obligation extends to students attending private schools within our district boundaries.

    • If the private school is located WITHIN our district boundaries: Contact your local neighborhood SVUSD public school site to initiate a referral.

    • If you live in Sonoma but your child attends a private school OUTSIDE our district: Contact the SVUSD Special Education Department at (707) 935-6004 for guidance.

  • If your child attends one of the local charter schools in our valley, the charter school operates as its own independent educational agency for Special Education:

    • Who is Responsible: These schools are legally responsible for conducting their own Child Find assessments, evaluations, and providing all IEP or 504 services.

    • Action Step: Do not submit your request to the SVUSD District Office. Instead, contact your charter school’s administrator, director, or resource specialist directly to submit a written request for an evaluation.

Step 3: Timeline

Once a formal written request for an assessment is submitted to the district, strict legal timelines protect your child's right to a timely evaluation:

Infographic outlining the steps for special education services for families.

  1. The Assessment Plan (15 Days): From the date the district receives your written request, we have 15 calendar days to provide you with an Assessment Plan outlining exactly what tests our specialists recommend.

  2. Your Consent: You have at least 15 days to review, sign, and return the plan. Testing cannot begin until you give written consent.

  3. The Evaluation (60 Days): Once the district receives your signed consent, our team of specialists (school psychologists, speech therapists, or resource specialists) has 60 calendar days to complete the testing and hold an initial meeting with you. (Note: Timelines pause during school breaks lasting longer than 5 days, such as summer or winter break).

Step 4: The Eligibility Meeting & Beyond

At the 60-day mark, you will sit down with the school specialists for an Initial Eligibility Meeting. You are an equal member of this team—your insights and observations are a vital part of the decision.

To qualify for services under federal and state law, the team must answer two questions:

  1. Does the student meet the criteria for one of the 13 official disability categories? (e.g., Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Autism, or Other Health Impairment)

  2. Does the disability require specialized instruction? (The impact must be significant enough that it cannot be resolved solely through general education classroom accommodations)

The Two Paths After the Meeting:

  • 🟢 If Eligible: The team will collaboratively write an Individualized Education Program (IEP) detailing specific learning goals, classroom accommodations (like extra testing time), and related services (like speech or occupational therapy).

  • 🔵 If Not Eligible: If your child does not qualify for an IEP, the team will discuss alternative general education interventions, such as a Student Success Team (SST) plan or a 504 Plan for medical or physical accommodations.