◈ Homepage — https://wacsep.org/Select Language▼
Home
About Us
For Families
For Educators
Contact Us
All people have immeasurable worth and deserve dignity and respect
Previous
Next
About Us
Information about our SELPA, our member districts, our Joint Powers Board, and our departments and services
For Families
Resources, information, trainings, and prior training recordings and handouts
For Educators
Information for WACSEP and member district staff.
Login required.
Welcome to
Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program (WACSEP)
Thank you for visiting the new WACSEP website. WACSEP has a long and proud history. In 1956, several districts in the Whittier area began working together to support students with disabilities, officially becoming a joint powers authority in 1971. In 1977, when Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs) were formed, WACSEP became the Whittier Area Cooperative SELPA as well. It is our privilege to provide many supports and services to our districts, staff, students, and families.
Today, WACSEP serves seven member continguous school districts, covering approximately ninety square miles in southeastern Los Angeles County and includes the cities of Whittier, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, and parts of Norwalk and La Mirada, as well as the unincorporated areas of South Whittier and Los Nietos. Our member districts include:
East Whittier City School District
El Rancho Unified School District
Little Lake City School District
Los Nietos School District
South Whittier School District
Whittier City School District
Whittier Union High School District
We hope this website provides resources and information to our families, community, and district staff, so we can all work together for our students' success.
Click Here for the Most Recent Joint Powers Board Meeting Agenda
Quick Links
SELPA Association of California
A voice for Students with Disabilities for 45 Years
WACSEP Local Plan
SELPA Governance documents
State Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE)
What is a SELPA?
Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program (WACSEP) is a SELPA
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Helping parents and schools work together
Parents' Rights and Procedural Safeguards
Your educational rights and procedural safeguards
Child Find
Do you believe your child may have a disability?
Infant-Family Program
Information for families with infants age 0-2
Private School Information
Information regarding special education assessments for students in private schools
SELPA Association of California
A voice for Students with Disabilities for 45 Years
WACSEP Local Plan
SELPA Governance documents
State Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE)
What is a SELPA?
Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program (WACSEP) is a SELPA
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Helping parents and schools work together
Parents' Rights and Procedural Safeguards
Your educational rights and procedural safeguards
Child Find
Do you believe your child may have a disability?
Infant-Family Program
Information for families with infants age 0-2
Private School Information
Information regarding special education assessments for students in private schools
SELPA Association of California
A voice for Students with Disabilities for 45 Years
WACSEP Local Plan
SELPA Governance documents
State Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE)
What is a SELPA?
Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program (WACSEP) is a SELPA
Serving Students with Disabilities Since 1971
52
Years
63
Schools
7
Districts
40,640
Students
News and Upcoming Events
Immigration Resources/ Recursos de Inmigración
March 1, 2026
2:50 pm
Department of Education Webinar Series
September 25, 2025
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
IDEA 50th Anniversary! Information, resources, and activities
December 29, 2025 through December 30, 2025
Public Hearing Notice
May 20, 2026
9:00 am to 12:00 am
Our Member Districts
Little Lake City School District
Los Nietos School District
South Whittier School District
Whittier City School District
Whittier Union High School District
East Whittier City School District
El Rancho Unified School District
Little Lake City School District
Los Nietos School District
South Whittier School District
Whittier City School District
Whittier Union High School District
East Whittier City School District
El Rancho Unified School District
Little Lake City School District
Los Nietos School District
South Whittier School District
Whittier City School District
Whittier Union High School District
Contact Us
Please login to view more resources, information, and events just for educators and staff.
8036 Ocean View Ave.
Whittier, CA 90602
P: (562) 945-6431
F: (562) 945-5855
◈ Interior Pages — 10 pages crawledWhittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program IDEA 50th Anniversary! Information, resources, and activities Home About Us What is WACSEP? WACSEP Departments SELPA Local Plan Joint Powers Board (JPB) District Contacts Community Advisory Committee (CAC) For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution For Educators Private Resources for Educators & Staff Contact Us IDEA 50th Anniversary! Information, resources, and activities December 29, 2025 through December 30, 2025 --> On November 29, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed into law PL 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which was later renamed IDEA in 1990. The law has been revised several times, with the continued premise of mandating a Free Appropriate Public Education for students with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment. The SELPA Association of California is putting together monthly resources and information to celebrate the 50th Anniversary. Click on the link below for information, days of celebrations, videos, celebration activities, and more! IDEA 50th Anniversary Monthly Resources --> Upcoming Events May 20, 2026 Public Hearing Notice Contact Us Please login to view more resources, information, and events just for educators and staff. 8036 Ocean View Ave. Whittier, CA 90602 P: (562) 945-6431 F: (562) 945-5855 Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program SELPA Local Plan Home About Us What is WACSEP? WACSEP Departments SELPA Local Plan Joint Powers Board (JPB) District Contacts Community Advisory Committee (CAC) For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution For Educators Private Resources for Educators & Staff Contact Us Special Education Local Plan (SELPA) Local PLan Governance and Administration Approved by Joint Powers Board May 8, 2024. Approval by the California Department of Education December 4, 2025. Section B- Governance and Administration Annual Budget Plan and Annual Service Plan Approved by the Joint Powers Board on May 21, 2025. Approval by the California Department of Education on September 5, 2024. Section D- Annual Budget Plan Section D - Annual Budget Plan Attachments Section E- Annual Service Plan Section E- Annual Service Plan Attachments About Us What is WACSEP? WACSEP Departments SELPA Local Plan Joint Powers Board (JPB) District Contacts Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Contact Us Please login to view more resources, information, and events just for educators and staff. 8036 Ocean View Ave. Whittier, CA 90602 P: (562) 945-6431 F: (562) 945-5855 Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program Private School Information Home About Us What is WACSEP? WACSEP Departments SELPA Local Plan Joint Powers Board (JPB) District Contacts Community Advisory Committee (CAC) For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution For Educators Private Resources for Educators & Staff Contact Us Private School Information Private School Information In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEIA 2004), school districts are required to consult with private schools, including religiously affiliated schools, and provide limited services to eligible special education student. On behalf of the seven member school districts, the WACSEP Private Schools team conducts the initial and triennial evaluations for K-12 students who live within SELPA boundaries and attend a private school within or outside of the SELPA. The Private Schools team develops and issues Service Plans for those students who qualify for special education services, and remain parentally placed in a private school setting that is located within our SELPA boundaries. The team offers staff development/training to the administrators and teachers of the various private schools within the SELPA. Additionally, the Service Plan may include yearly consultation and support to each of the private schools within SELPA boundaries. For more information, please contact the WACSEP Private Schools Department at (562)945-6431 x8222, or contact your local school district. Additional Resources: IDEIA 2004 Regulations - Special Education Services to Students Parentally Enrolled in Private Schools Child Find Information For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution Contact Us Please login to view more resources, information, and events just for educators and staff. 8036 Ocean View Ave. Whittier, CA 90602 P: (562) 945-6431 F: (562) 945-5855 Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program Child Find Home About Us What is WACSEP? WACSEP Departments SELPA Local Plan Joint Powers Board (JPB) District Contacts Community Advisory Committee (CAC) For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution For Educators Private Resources for Educators & Staff Contact Us Child Find Child Find Do you believe your child may have a disability? Parents who suspect that their child has a mental, physical or learning disability are advised to contact their local school district. Federal and state laws require public schools to provide free and appropriate education for children with disabilities, ages birth through 21 years. Children may qualify for special education programs administered by their school district. Special Education staff will help parents identify appropriate programs, if their child is eligible for services. For information about special education services for children birth to 3, please call the WACSEP Infant-Family Program at 562-907-6358, view the brochure , or visit the Infant-Family Program website . For information about special education services for children ages 3 to 21, please contact your local school district special education department. East Whittier City School District 14535 E. Whittier Boulevard Whittier, CA 90605 562-907-5900 www.ewcsd.org Special Education El Rancho Unified School District 9333 Loch Lomond Drive Pico Rivera, CA 90660 562-801-7300 www.erusd.org Special Education Little Lake City School District 10515 S. Pioneer Boulevard Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 562-868-8241 www.llcsd.net Special Education Los Nietos School District 8324 Westman Avenue Whittier, CA 90606 562-692-0271 www.losnietos.k12.ca.us Special Education South Whittier School District 11200 Telechron Avenue Whittier, CA 90605 562-944-6231 www.swhittier.k12.ca.us Special Education Whittier City School District 7211 S. Whittier Avenue Whittier, CA 90602 562-789-3000 www.whittiercity.net Special Education Whittier Union High School District 9401 S. Painter Avenue Whittier, CA 90605 562-698-8121 www.wuhsd.org Special Education If your child attends a private school, and you live within the boundaries of one of the districts listed above, please contact the WACSEP Private Schools Department at 562-945-6431 x8222. Additional information For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution Contact Us Please login to view more resources, information, and events just for educators and staff. 8036 Ocean View Ave. Whittier, CA 90602 P: (562) 945-6431 F: (562) 945-5855 Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program Prior Training Materials Home About Us What is WACSEP? WACSEP Departments SELPA Local Plan Joint Powers Board (JPB) District Contacts Community Advisory Committee (CAC) For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution For Educators Private Resources for Educators & Staff Contact Us Prior Training Materials Parent Training Series Presentations/ Presentaciones de Serie de Entrenamiento Para Padres Routines, Schedules and Setting up the Learning Environment 9/30/20 Rutinas, Horarios y Configuración del Entorno de Aprendizaje 9/30/20 Resources for Visual Supports Understanding My Child's Behavior 10/14/20 Cómo Comprender el Comportamiento de mi hijo(a) 10/14/20 Functional Communication Training Resource Entrenamiento para Communicación Funcional Supporting My Child's Learning 10/28/20 Apoyando el Aprendizaje de mi hijo(a) 10/28/20 Catch them Being Good- Reinforcement 11/18/20 Encuentrelos Siendo Buenos- Reforzamiento 11/18/20 Co-regulation 12/16/20 Corregulación 12/16/20 The Zones of Regulation Self-Regulation - It Starts With Me Autorregulación- Empieza Conmigo Self-Regulation 1 One-minute mindfulness Un Minuto de Atención Plena Five Senses Exercise Ejercicio de los Cinco Sentidos For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution Contact Us Please login to view more resources, information, and events just for educators and staff. 8036 Ocean View Ave. Whittier, CA 90602 P: (562) 945-6431 F: (562) 945-5855 Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program Department of Education Webinar Series Home About Us What is WACSEP? WACSEP Departments SELPA Local Plan Joint Powers Board (JPB) District Contacts Community Advisory Committee (CAC) For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution For Educators Private Resources for Educators & Staff Contact Us Department of Education Webinar Series September 25, 2025 11:00 am to 12:00 pm --> Department of Education 2025–2026 Webinar Series Fourth Thursday of the Month 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. View page Document --> View page Document Upcoming Events May 20, 2026 Public Hearing Notice Contact Us Please login to view more resources, information, and events just for educators and staff. 8036 Ocean View Ave. Whittier, CA 90602 P: (562) 945-6431 F: (562) 945-5855 Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program Home About Us What is WACSEP? WACSEP Departments SELPA Local Plan Joint Powers Board (JPB) District Contacts Community Advisory Committee (CAC) For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution For Educators Private Resources for Educators & Staff Contact Us Contact Us Your Name Your Email Your Phone How can we be of service? Type the CAPTCHA Send Message Contact Us Please login to view more resources, information, and events just for educators and staff. 8036 Ocean View Ave. Whittier, CA 90602 P: (562) 945-6431 F: (562) 945-5855 Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program SELPA Local Plan Home About Us What is WACSEP? WACSEP Departments SELPA Local Plan Joint Powers Board (JPB) District Contacts Community Advisory Committee (CAC) For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution For Educators Private Resources for Educators & Staff Contact Us Special Education Local Plan (SELPA) Local PLan Governance and Administration Approved by Joint Powers Board May 8, 2024. Approval by the California Department of Education December 4, 2025. Section B- Governance and Administration Annual Budget Plan and Annual Service Plan Approved by the Joint Powers Board on May 21, 2025. Approval by the California Department of Education on September 5, 2024. Section D- Annual Budget Plan Section D - Annual Budget Plan Attachments Section E- Annual Service Plan Section E- Annual Service Plan Attachments About Us What is WACSEP? WACSEP Departments SELPA Local Plan Joint Powers Board (JPB) District Contacts Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Contact Us Please login to view more resources, information, and events just for educators and staff. 8036 Ocean View Ave. Whittier, CA 90602 P: (562) 945-6431 F: (562) 945-5855 Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program Alternative Dispute Resolution Home About Us What is WACSEP? WACSEP Departments SELPA Local Plan Joint Powers Board (JPB) District Contacts Community Advisory Committee (CAC) For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution For Educators Private Resources for Educators & Staff Contact Us Alternative Dispute Resolution Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) WACSEP offers Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services, facilitated by the SELPA Liaison, to help parents and schools work together to resolve concerns related to a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). ADR is a voluntary, informal process that promotes open communication, builds understanding, and focuses on solutions that meet each student’s needs. As a neutral party, the SELPA Liaison helps bridge communication and foster collaboration between parents and districts within the SELPA. These services are provided at no cost to families and are designed to strengthen partnerships without the need for formal complaints or legal proceedings. For information regarding the ADR services contact Dr. Vivian Rodriguez-Eads, SELPA Liaison, at (562) 945-6431 ext. 8309 or email
[email protected] For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution Contact Us Please login to view more resources, information, and events just for educators and staff. 8036 Ocean View Ave. Whittier, CA 90602 P: (562) 945-6431 F: (562) 945-5855 Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program Immigration Resources/ Recursos de Inmigración Home About Us What is WACSEP? WACSEP Departments SELPA Local Plan Joint Powers Board (JPB) District Contacts Community Advisory Committee (CAC) For Families Resources - Agencies and Associations Child Find Parents' Rights & Procedural Safeguards Infant-Family Program Private School Information Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Prior Training Materials Recorded Trainings Alternative Dispute Resolution For Educators Private Resources for Educators & Staff Contact Us Immigration Resources and Support Immigration Resources and Support / Recursos y Apoyo de Inmigración WACSEP and our member districts are commited to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, regardless of immigration status. For information and support, please use the links below to review the resources provided by your child's school district. If your child's district is not listed, you can use the link from any other district. WACSEP y nuestros distritos miembros están comprometidos a brindar un ambiente de aprendizaje seguro y de apoyo para todos los estudiantes, independientemente de su estatus migratorio. Para obtener información y apoyo, utilice los enlaces a continuación para revisar los recursos proporcionados por el distrito escolar de su hijo(a). Si el distrito de su hijo(a) no está en la lista, puede utilizar el enlace de cualquier otro distrito. New resource from the California Department of Education/Nueva carta de recursos del Derpartmento de Educación de California East Whittier City School District El Rancho Unified School District Los Nietos School District South Whittier School District Whittier City School District Whittier Union School District View Document --> View page Document Contact Us Please login to view more resources, information, and events just for educators and staff. 8036 Ocean View Ave. Whittier, CA 90602 P: (562) 945-6431 F: (562) 945-5855