I had the true pleasure to speak on May 1, 2024 for the East Valley (EV) Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) which is a consortium of participating school districts formed for the purpose of ensuring that quality special education programs and services are available throughout the region to meet the individual needs of special education students.
They are governed by a board of directors, which is made up of the superintendents of each participating school district and chaired by San Bernardino County Schools.
The EV SELPA coordinates special education services for approximately 8,000 special education students within five school districts, including Colton Joint Unified, Redlands Unified, Rialto Unified, Rim of the World Unified, Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified, plus San Bernardino County Schools Student Services.
They have joined together to ensure that students with disabilities are provided appropriate educational services in the least restrictive environment.
EV SELPA Inclusion Summit is off to a great start with Alycia Anderson. Her work on #inclusion for all people pushes accessibility as a means of innovation.
Dr. Nyree Clark
Dr. Patty Metheny, Chief Administrative Officer of the East Valley SELPA and her team called me in to deliver my Disabling Ableism. The modern pathway to inclusion.® keynote speech to the superintendents, principals and a multitude of other key roles representing each of the districts in their area.
My speech was followed by a full day of training that was orchestrated by Supporting Inclusive Practices, the California Department of Education Special Education Division, which is there to provide unparalleled statewide technical assistance to educational communities in their pursuit of inclusive and equitable systems.
I am looking forward to listening to your podcasts and learning more about inclusion. Last night at our Board meeting I mentioned the conference we attended and brought up the word “ableism”, which I learned from you.
Bob Miller
East Valley SELPA is a support and oversight office under the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools that ensures that its member districts implement the legal requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and is the regional link between member districts and the California Department of Education (CDE).
The East Valley SELPA provides well trained staff dedicated to working in partnership with schools, families and the community, helping all students become successful members of society and encouraging learning as an unlimited lifelong process.
The event was aimed straight at EV SELPA’s mission of ensuring they provide quality education that recognizes, respects and meets the individual needs of a diverse student population in an ethical and efficient manner.
The East Valley SELPA is responsible for ensuring every eligible child receives appropriate services, and they believe ALL people have the right to learn, grow, and change; ALL people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect; INTEGRITY & HONESTY are fundamental to the quality of life; CHILDREN are our future; EACH OF US can make a positive difference; PARENT, GUARDIAN and CARE-GIVER involvement is a valuable asset; and COLLABORATION is the key to quality special education.
My deepest, deepest gratitude to you for your fabulous and motivating keynote at our summit… So many of us are still talking about how impactful your story, and your willingness to share your story to change the lives of so many is, as we work together to make this world a better place.
Dr. Patty Metheny
