Parents Rights & Resources
Our Philosophy: You Are a Core Member of the Team
As a parent or guardian, you have legal rights and protections throughout the special education process under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Most importantly, you are an equal, essential member of your child’s IEP team. Your voice, history, and insights are vital to your child’s success.
Understanding Your Procedural Safeguards (Your Rights)
Local Partnerships & Support Networks
Navigating special education can feel like learning a completely new language. SVUSD partners with regional organizations to provide independent training, advice, and community connections at no cost to families.
👥 The Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
The CAC is a dynamic group of parents, educators, and community members collaborating directly with the Sonoma County SELPA (the regional special education consortium that SVUSD belongs to) to ensure students receive the best possible education and equal access to services.
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What They Do: The CAC serves as a liaison between the SELPA, the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE), local districts, and families. They provide consumer education, share resources, and offer a platform to help shape local special education policy.
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Meetings: All meetings are open to the public. These meetings are held in a hybrid format - in person at SCOE (5340 Skylane Boulevard, Santa Rosa) and via video link (see link below). Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. with a business session, followed by an informational session presented by a guest speaker or panel of presenters.
🔗 Resources: View the Sonoma County SELPA CAC Directory & Calendar
🧩 Matrix Parent Network & Resource Center
Matrix is California's designated Family Empowerment Center for our region, serving Marin, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties.
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What They Do: Run primarily by parents of children with special needs themselves, Matrix works directly with families to strengthen their advocacy skills. They offer free, confidential one-on-one parent advising, toolkits, and educational webinars.
🔗 Connect with Matrix: Visit the Matrix Parent Network Website to speak with an advisor.
Transition, College, and Career Planning
For our older youth, planning for a successful launch into independence requires strong coordination between the school district, county office, and state frameworks.
To support this transition, the programs, local agencies, and digital planning platforms listed here are available to help students explore interests, develop workforce skills, and map out post-secondary paths:
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California CareerZone: A proven career exploration and planning system designed especially for students to map interests against 900 distinct occupations.
🔗 Explore the California CareerZone Portal
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California Career Center (CalCC) & Career Resource Network (CalCRN): Direct planning platforms packed with career self-management modules and tools to help students map post-secondary paths (including college, military, or apprenticeships).
🔗 Map futures at the California Career Center Website
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Petaluma Adult School (PAS): Provides flexible, high-quality technical education, adult scheduling, and workforce preparedness training to help diverse learners achieve employment goals.
🔗 Learn about local classes via the Petaluma Adult School Site
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North Bay Regional Center (NBRC): Contracts with local service providers to fund independent living skills and career coaching during and after the public school journey.
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SCOE Transition Program: Run by the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE), this program teaches functional life skills and entry-level work skills directly to special education students supporting their growth into adulthood.
👉 Note: The SCOE transition program requires an active referral from your current SVUSD IEP team. Reach out to your case manager to explore this path.