Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

The South Orange County Special Education Local Plan Area (SOC SELPA) CAC seeks to join together parents, educators, lawmakers, service providers and other community members who want to make a difference in the education of all students. The CAC is here to inform and support with the goal of improving and protecting the education of our children.

We are always looking for new CAC members and volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a voting member or volunteer, please fill out our CAC Participation Application Form.

Please view our CAC meeting schedule (Calendario de reuniones), and join us for our next meeting.

“Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read, write and count. It is a small window of time to learn and develop at the pace that is right for each individual child.”

– Magda Gerber

Upcoming Events/CAC News

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Parent Education Header

Please join us on March 18, from 9:00 - 10:00 am, for our next CAC Parent Education training, "IEP Versus 504: What's the Difference?", which will be presented by the Laguna Beach Unified School District's Interim Special Education Director, Jennifer Moss, Interim Program Specialist and Grace Jones, School Psychologist. Please find the Zoom link below:

Community Advisory Committee Parent Education Zoom Link

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CAC Information

2025-2026 Local Plan - CDE Approved

Please find the Local Plan documents approved by CDE as of November 25, 2025.

Note: Attachment VI relates to the Annual Service Plan and breaks down services by each school district and by each school site within each district.

Section B - Approval occurs every 3 years - CDE approved through 2027

CAC Bylaws

CAC Meeting Schedule

CAC Meeting Schedule - SPANISH

California Community Advisory Committee Guide

CAC Voting Members - Term limits 2025-2026

Member Name	Member Type	Term
Executive Board Members:
Kris Spowart, CHAIR	SVUSD Parent	7/1/2025 - 6/30/2027
Elizabeth Korneygay, VICE CHAIR	Representative of Other Public or Private Agency	7/1/2025 - 6/30/2027
Carol Harlan, SECRETARY	SVUSD Parent	7/1/2025 - 6/30/2027
Renee Radabaugh, COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR	LBUSD Parent	7/1/2025 - 6/30/2027
LEA Voting Members:
Rebecca Woode	SVUSD Parent	7/1/2024 - 6/30/2026
Scarlett vonThenen	SVUSD Parent	7/1/2025 - 6/30/2027
Monica Mays	SVUSD Parent	7/1/2025 - 6/30/2027
Addison Dowling	SVUSD Student with Exceptional Needs	7/1/2023 - 6/30/2025
OPEN POSITION	SVUSD/LBUSD Regular Ed. Staff	7/1/2024 - 6/30/2026
Aimee Mella - Ed Specialist	SVUSD Special Education Staff	7/1/2024 - 6/30/2026
Heather Waldvogel - Ed Specialist	SVUSD Special Education Staff	7/1/2024 - 6/30/2026
Drew Clute	LBUSD Parent	7/1/2024 - 6/30/2026
Christina Noyes	LBUSD Parent	7/1/2025 - 6/30/2027
Julie Yaccino	LBUSD Special Education Staff	7/1/2024 - 6/30/2026
Isla Aguilar	LBUSD Student with Exceptional Needs	7/1/2025 - 6/30/2027

CAC Parent Handbook

Resources - Special Education Websites/Agencies

These links are provided as a helpful resource and are not an endorsement by Saddleback Valley Unified School District, Laguna Beach Unified School District, South Orange County SELPA or the CAC Committee.

Resources - Special Education Acronyms

Special Education Acronyms

Acronym	Meaning
504	Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
AAC	Augmentative and Alternate Communication
ABA	Applied Behavioral Analysis
ADHD (ADD)	Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADR	Alternate Dispute Resolution
AIM	Accessible Instructional Materials
ALD	Assistive Listening Device
APE	Adapted Physical Education
ASD	Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASL	American Sign Language
AT	Assistive Technology
BIP	Behavioral Intervention Plan
CAA	California Alternate Assessment
CAASP	California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
CAC	Community Advisory Committee
CASE	Community Alliance for Special Education
CAST	Collaborative Academic Support Teams
CBI	Community Based Instruction
CCR	California Code of Regulations
CCS	California Children's Services
CDC	California Diagnostic Centers
CDE	California Department of Education
CDPS	California Department of Public Health
CELDT	California English Language Development Test
CMA	California Modified Assessment
CMH	County Mental Health
CPS	Child Protective Services
CST	California Standards Test
DHH	Deaf-Hard of Hearing
DIS	Designated Instruction and Services
DOE	US Department of Education
DOR	Department of Rehabilitation
DTT	Discrete Trial Training
EC	Education Code
ECE	Early Childhood Education
ED	Emotionally Disturbed
EL	English Learner
ELD	English Learning Development
EMD	Established Medical Disability
EO	English Only
ESY	Extended School Year
FAPE	Free and Appropriate Public Education
FBA	Functional Behavioral Assessment
FEP	Fluent English Proficient
FERPA	Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
GE	General Education or Grade Equivalent
HOH	Hard of Hearing
IA	Instructional Aide or Assistant
IBI	Individual Behavior Intervention
ID	Intellectual Disability
IDEA	Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEIA	Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
IEE	Independent Educational Evaluation
IEP	Individualized Educational Program
IEPT	Individualized Education Program Team
IFSP	Individualized Family Service Plan
ISP	Individualized Service Plan
ITP	Individualized Transition Plan
JTPA	Job Training Partnership Act
LCI	Licensed Children's Institute
LEA	Local Education Agency
LEP	Limited English Proficient
LH	Learning Handicapped
LI	Low Incidence Disabilities
LP	Local Plan
LRE	Least Restrictive Environment
MD	Multiple Disabilities
MDA	Multidisciplinary Assessment
MH	Mental Health
MM	Mild to Moderate (Basic)
MS	Moderate to Severe (Foundational)
NCLB	No Child Left Behind
NPA	Non-Public Agency
NPS	Non-Public School
O&M	Orientation and Mobility
OAH	Office of Administrative Hearings
OCD	Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCMH	Orange County Mental Health
ODD	Oppositional Defiant Disorder
OH	Orthopedically Handicapped
OHI	Occupational Therapy
OI	Orthopedically Impaired
OT	Occupational Therapy
PECS	Picture Exchange Communication System
PH	Physically Handicapped
PL	Public Law
PLOP	Present Level of Performance
PS	Program Specialist
PT	Physical Therapy, Physical Therapist
PWN	Prior Written Notice
RCOC	Regional Center of Orange County
ROP	Regional Occupational Program
RSP	Resource Specialist Program
SDC	Special Day Class
SELPA	Special Education Local Plan Area
SH	Severely Handicapped
SL (SLI)	Speech & Language (Speech & Language Impaired)
SLD	Specific Learning Disabled
SLP	Speech Language Pathologist
SP	Service Plan
SPED	Special Education
SST	Student Study Team
STAR	State Testing and Reporting
SUCSESS	Systemic Utilization of Comprehensive Strategies Ensuring Student Success
SWD	Students with Disabilities
TBI	Traumatic Brain Injury
TEACCH	Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children
TPP	Transition Partnership Project
TRI	Triennial Review
VI	Visually Impaired

Special Education Acronyms - Printable List

SCDD Life Care Portfolio Information

The Life Care Portfolio was created by the Family Work Team, a subcommittee of the Orange County Local Partnership Agreement (OCLPA), to help families plan for the future of a person with a disability. It keeps important health, education, and life information in one place so caregivers and loved ones can step in when needed. This “living” document supports smooth transitions and continued care over time.

SELPA Annual Priorities

Parent Education

2025-2026 Parent Education Training Schedule

Parent Education - Preparing Students for Independence and Success After School - Diagnostic Center - 3/2/26

We hope you found this Parent Education Training presented by the Diagnostic Center, Southern California, helpful. You will find their slide deck and shared resources below.

Resources from this Parent Education Training:

Parent Education - Procedural Safeguards - 1/27/26

Parent Education - Behavior/De-Escalation Training Slide Deck - 11/13/24

Parent Education - Designated Instructional Services Provider Video - 1/27/21

Parent Education - IEP Tips and Tricks - 3/8/23

Parent Education - Transitions - 4/9/24

Parent Education - Mindfulness - 3/11/25

Parent Education - TASK - 5/12/25

The CAC of South Orange County presents Parent Education with Gloria Ruiz, TASK Project Manager PTI (Region 2), TASK Project Director FEC (Orange County) in sharing about the resources and opportunities available to students and their families through TASK with a focus on collaboration between parents and district partners.

TASK specializes in special education support for people with disabilities from birth to age 26 and their families. They support all disabilities, including mental illness, chronic health and medical conditions, and emotional challenges due to abuse or environmental trauma.

Resources

CAC Parent Handbook

Resources - Special Education Websites/Agencies

Resources - Special Education Acronyms

Special Education Acronyms

Acronym	Meaning
504	Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
AAC	Augmentative and Alternate Communication
ABA	Applied Behavioral Analysis
ADHD (ADD)	Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADR	Alternate Dispute Resolution
AIM	Accessible Instructional Materials
ALD	Assistive Listening Device
APE	Adapted Physical Education
ASD	Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASL	American Sign Language
AT	Assistive Technology
BIP	Behavioral Intervention Plan
CAA	California Alternate Assessment
CAASP	California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
CAC	Community Advisory Committee
CASE	Community Alliance for Special Education
CAST	Collaborative Academic Support Teams
CBI	Community Based Instruction
CCR	California Code of Regulations
CCS	California Children's Services
CDC	California Diagnostic Centers
CDE	California Department of Education
CDPS	California Department of Public Health
CELDT	California English Language Development Test
CMA	California Modified Assessment
CMH	County Mental Health
CPS	Child Protective Services
CST	California Standards Test
DHH	Deaf-Hard of Hearing
DIS	Designated Instruction and Services
DOE	US Department of Education
DOR	Department of Rehabilitation
DTT	Discrete Trial Training
EC	Education Code
ECE	Early Childhood Education
ED	Emotionally Disturbed
EL	English Learner
ELD	English Learning Development
EMD	Established Medical Disability
EO	English Only
ESY	Extended School Year
FAPE	Free and Appropriate Public Education
FBA	Functional Behavioral Assessment
FEP	Fluent English Proficient
FERPA	Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
GE	General Education or Grade Equivalent
HOH	Hard of Hearing
IA	Instructional Aide or Assistant
IBI	Individual Behavior Intervention
ID	Intellectual Disability
IDEA	Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEIA	Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
IEE	Independent Educational Evaluation
IEP	Individualized Educational Program
IEPT	Individualized Education Program Team
IFSP	Individualized Family Service Plan
ISP	Individualized Service Plan
ITP	Individualized Transition Plan
JTPA	Job Training Partnership Act
LCI	Licensed Children's Institute
LEA	Local Education Agency
LEP	Limited English Proficient
LH	Learning Handicapped
LI	Low Incidence Disabilities
LP	Local Plan
LRE	Least Restrictive Environment
MD	Multiple Disabilities
MDA	Multidisciplinary Assessment
MH	Mental Health
MM	Mild to Moderate (Basic)
MS	Moderate to Severe (Foundational)
NCLB	No Child Left Behind
NPA	Non-Public Agency
NPS	Non-Public School
O&M	Orientation and Mobility
OAH	Office of Administrative Hearings
OCD	Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCMH	Orange County Mental Health
ODD	Oppositional Defiant Disorder
OH	Orthopedically Handicapped
OHI	Occupational Therapy
OI	Orthopedically Impaired
OT	Occupational Therapy
PECS	Picture Exchange Communication System
PH	Physically Handicapped
PL	Public Law
PLOP	Present Level of Performance
PS	Program Specialist
PT	Physical Therapy, Physical Therapist
PWN	Prior Written Notice
RCOC	Regional Center of Orange County
ROP	Regional Occupational Program
RSP	Resource Specialist Program
SDC	Special Day Class
SELPA	Special Education Local Plan Area
SH	Severely Handicapped
SL (SLI)	Speech & Language (Speech & Language Impaired)
SLD	Specific Learning Disabled
SLP	Speech Language Pathologist
SP	Service Plan
SPED	Special Education
SST	Student Study Team
STAR	State Testing and Reporting
SUCSESS	Systemic Utilization of Comprehensive Strategies Ensuring Student Success
SWD	Students with Disabilities
TBI	Traumatic Brain Injury
TEACCH	Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children
TPP	Transition Partnership Project
TRI	Triennial Review
VI	Visually Impaired

Special Education Acronyms - Printable List

Special Education Legislation

Community Advisory Committee Meetings

Regular Meeting - March 11, 2026 @ LHHS Library

Our next meeting is coming up on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 5:00 pm. We will hear from each district Director of Special Education, our South Orange County SELPA Director, our CAC Chair, and reports from some of our committee members. Please find the meeting agenda, minutes from our September meeting, and supporting documents attached below. This meeting will be held promptly at 5:00 pm in the Laguna Hills High School Library (we had to move the meeting from the MPR to the Library). We will have a Q&A Session following the meeting from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm. If you cannot attend the meeting, but have a question you would like the committee to address, please visit our Q&A Google Form, which is open now and will close on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

ZOOM OPTION - PLEASE NOTE: This meeting is "watch only", so all microphones will be off, and Zoom attendees will not be able to speak or ask questions. The chat option is also disabled. The microphone and chat features are not monitored during the meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting - View/Listen Only Option

Meeting ID: 986 7012 3178

Regular Meeting - January 20, 2026 @ LHHS MPR

This meeting will be held in person at Laguna Hills High School in the MPR. It will begin promptly at 5:00 pm. LHHS's address is 25401 Paseo De Valencia, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.

We will have a Q&A Session following the meeting at 6:00 pm for 30 minutes. If you cannot attend the meeting, but have a question you would like the committee to address, please visit our Q&A Google Form, which is open now and will close at 5:00 pm on Friday, January 16, 2026 (Monday is a holiday).

Join Zoom Meeting - View/Listen Only Option

Meeting ID: 986 7012 3178

Regular Meeting -November 6, 2025 @ LHHS Library

This meeting will be held in person at Laguna Hills High School in the Library. It will begin promptly at 5:00 pm. LHHS's address is 25401 Paseo De Valencia, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.

Join Zoom Meeting - View/Listen Only Option

Meeting ID: 986 7012 3178
Passcode: cacofsoc25

Regular Meeting - September 24, 2025 @ LHHS MPR

This meeting will be held in person at Laguna Hills High School in the MPR. It will begin promptly at 5:00 pm. LHHS's address is 25401 Paseo De Valencia, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.