The Santa Clarita Valley Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) actively encourages parents or community members who know of a child (birth to age 22) who may have special needs to contact their local school district office.

SELPA is a consortium of five school districts: Castaic, Newhall, Saugus, Sulphur Springs and William S. Hart Union High School District. These districts work together to provide special education services for students with identified disabilities from birth to age twenty-two. Services are offered in the least restrictive environment in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Once referred to special education, students are assessed to determine the disability and its impact on school performance to determine eligibility for special education services. Students with any of the following disabilities may be eligible for special education services: Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, Partially Sighted, Mental Retardation, Orthopedic Handicap, Autism, Learning Disability, Traumatic Brain Injury, Other Health Impairment, Speech and Language Disorder, Emotional Disturbance.

All assessments are followed by an Individual Education Plan (IEP) team meeting at which parents, teacher, and staff determine eligibility, specific goals, placement, and objectives. Parent permission is required for all Special Education Services. To make a referral, contact your local public school office or your district office.