Parent and Community SupportParent and Community Support provides information, training and support for parents of students with disabilities and creates partnerships between parents, education professionals and community organizations that are concerned about educational access for all our youth.

This office collaborates with other departments in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) such as the Specially Funded and Parent Community Services Programs, the School Volunteer Program of the Beyond the Bell Division, and the Parent Education Department of the Division of Adult and Career Education, to assist in planning appropriate services to meet the needs of all our families.

The Division of Special Education supports the work of two parent advisory committees: the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) a state-mandated committee, and the Special Education Multicultural Advisory Committee (SEMAC), a district-sponsored committee that focuses on the needs of families from diverse communities in LAUSD. These committees are vehicles for maintaining an ongoing interaction between educators, parents and parent participants from the local schools. Each committee holds a monthly informational and training meeting open to parents and staff from the 11 Local Districts. These meetings are a forum for a mutual exchange of information. CAC meets on the second Monday of the month, and SEMAC meets on the first Wednesday of the month. Occasionally, there are changes in this schedule. Persons interested in verifying specific meeting dates can call (213) 241-6701.

Parent and Community Support also offers workshops and presentations at local school sites and at Local District events as requested. A series of six classes, An Introduction to Parenting the Child with Special Needs, is now being offered at local sites around LAUSD. These classes are taught by Adult Education teachers, and are sponsored by the School Volunteer Program in collaboration with the Division of Special Education. The goal of the classes is to prepare parents to become effective partners in developing education plans for their children. Principals of local schools and community organizations can request the classes by calling the School Volunteer Program at (213)241-6900.

Parent Centers are encouraged to request workshops about special education and effective parent/professional collaboration. The office also has available a wealth of resources to share with parents at local school sites. Parent Center Coordinators and Parent Community Facilitators may call (213) 241-6701 for assistance.

Resources

Community Advisory Committee | CAC Events

Special Education Multicultural Advisory Committee | SEMAC Events