Community Advisory Committee

What is CAC?

The role of the CAC is to create open and reciprocal communication between the San Luis Obispo Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and the parents of children with special needs. The CAC serves in an advisory capacity to the SELPA regarding community opinions, concerns, and suggestions pertaining to special education and related services to students with disabilities. The CAC strives for acceptance of learning differences and the importance of promoting accessibility in all areas of the community. The CAC believes classroom instruction should address all ability levels and learning styles. To achieve this, the CAC represents and supports the interest of children with disabilities, their parents, educators and our community.

The CAC serves as an advisory body to the SLO SELPA Executive Director regarding the development and review of the Local Plan, as well as any policy additions or revisions. CAC also assists with parent education and in recruiting parents and other volunteers to support activities on behalf of individuals with exceptional needs. LEA representative members also have the responsibility of forwarding pertinent information from the CAC to their local boards and to assist in parent awareness of the importance of school attendance.

The CAC sponsors events and activities designed to support awareness of parent rights, services available within the community, and general disability awareness. The SELPA and CAC support Parents Helping Parents (PHP) to assist in making their activities known throughout the community. The CAC provides legislative advocacy on issues affecting services to students with disabilities. The CAC informs parents about special education legislation, and special education related services for children with disabilities.