Special Education

Special Education Department

PHONE: (408) 201-6040
FAX: (408) 825 6257

Special Education Department Vision

Through inclusive and equitable practices, we will foster resilient, socially competent students who learn at high levels, with the goal that all of our students will have various choices upon graduation and become productive members of society.

Our Mission

Our purpose is to have all students learn at high levels in an inclusive environment.

Introduction to Special Education

Morgan Hill Unified School District (MHUSD) provides support to all students with disabilities. We partner with other local school districts as well as the Santa Clara County Office of Education (COE) to insure that programs are located within our Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA).

Morgan Hill Unified School District is a member of the South East Consortium SELPA, one of 6 SELPAS in Santa Clara County. The SE Consortium SELPA coordinates with 11 school districts and the County Office of Education to provide a continuum of programs and services for individuals with disabilities, from birth through 22 years of age. Additionally, the SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC) parent group provides support, information, training opportunities, and valuable resources for parents, guardians and the local community. The SE SELPA Office is located in Mt. Pleasant School District. For more information about the SELPA and the CAC please visit the SE SELPA website at https://www.mpesd.org/domain/3304

Department Information

Contact Information

Rebecca O'Brien

Director

obrienr@mhusd.org

408-201-6043

x51043

Kristen Curtis

Coordinator

curtisk@mhusd.org

408-201-6046

x51046

Kimberly Luebbers

Coordinator

luebbersk@mhusd.org

408-201-6069

x51069

Sarah Melville

Coordinator
melvilles@mhusd.org
408-201-6044
x51044

Valerie Boggs

Administrative Specialist

boggsv @mhusd.org

408-201-6043

x51043

Christina Ruiz

Administrative Office Support

ruizc@mhusd.org

408-201-6043

x51043

Kelly Nyein

BCBA

nyeink@mhusd.org

Ashley Green

BCBA

greena@mhusd.org

Athaly Ramos-Marquez

BCBA

ramosmarqueza @mhusd.org

Cassandra Long

BCBA

longc @mhusd.org

Dustin Espinoza

BCBA

espinozad @mhusd.org

Stephanie Du-Wang

BCBA

du-wangs @mhusd.org

Eligibility for Services

Students become eligible for special education services through a formalized process of evaluation. Anyone who suspects that a student is disabled may request an evaluation by using our Assessment Request Form. Requests will receive a response from the school site within 15 days. Usually a Student Study Team is asked to determine whether an assessment is necessary. If recommended, assessments will take place within 60 days of the initial request. If an assessment is not recommended, the Study Team will explain their reasoning in writing. Once a student has been assessed, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting is held to determine a student’s eligibility for services. Students may be found eligible in one of 13 categories:

*Intellectual disabilities
*Hearing impairments (including deafness)
*Speech or language impairments
*Visual impairments (including blindness)
*Emotional disturbance
*Orthopedic impairment
*Autism
*Traumatic brain injury
*Other health impairments
*Specific learning disabilities
*Developmental delay

*Intellectual Disability Students may receive any combination of services, based on their IEP, including:

*Speech and Language – offered at all schools. Speech and language specialists provide support for articulation, voice, fluency, and language disorders.

*Resource Specialists – offered at all schools. Resource Specialists provide educational planning and specialized instruction to exceptional individuals in special programs or within regular classrooms.

*Special Day Classes – offered at selected elementary schools and all secondary schools, not all grade levels are available at all sites. Students are grouped with others who share similar instructional needs for 50% of the day. Each class has a credentialed special education teacher and Paraprofessional. Adaptive physical education, behavior support, occupational therapy, and other services are available when a student’s IEP determines this need.

If you have questions about Special Education programs or would like to request a review for assessment, contact Special Education Department at (408) 201-6040.

Workability I & TPP Website

Workability I/TPP

WorkAbility I
WorkAbility I is a training program for special education students ages 14.9-22 designed to promote career awareness and exploration while students complete their secondary education program. WorkAbility I provides students with opportunities for job shadowing, paid and non-paid work experience, and ongoing support and guidance from vocational personnel. WorkAbility I ;is administered by the California Department of Education, Special Education Division.

Business Benefits
Screened students ready to learn and work
Worker interest/skills matched to employer’s needs
Ongoing employee support services
Low-risk, low-cost job training
Trained employees ready to hire

Student Benefits
Career exploration
Work experience
Support system in making career decisions
Interagency collaboration
Assessment of vocational interests and aptitudes
Follow up

WorkAbility I: A California Transition Program

Useful Links for Parents

SELPA

WHAT IS THE SOUTH EAST SPECIAL EDUCATION LOCAL PLAN AREA (SELPA)?
The District has joined with ten other Districts in South East Santa Clara County and the County Office of Education to form the South East Consortium SELPA. The SELPA was created for the purpose of ensuring the quality special education programs and services are available throughout the Valley. This consortium of school districts plans and provides regionalized services for students eligible for Special Education programs and services. The SE SELPA also provides and coordinates workshops for parents and staff. The SELPA also has a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) parent group that provides support, information, workshops, and valuable links for parents. For more information about the SELPA and the CAC please contact:

Shelly Ota-- Director of the South East SELPA
Michele Villarreal -- Program Administrator for the South East SELPA
Helen Huynh - Program Administrator

The SELPA Local Plan including the Annual Budget and Services Plans, Public Hearing Notices, and Executive Council Meeting agendas can be found here:

South East SELPA Website

Resources for Special Education Parents

Please use this link to a document that includes the following resources for parents

Supporting Students with Special Needs
Supporting Wellness and Health
Wifi and Internet Free Services
Readings Relevant to Distance Learning
Resources to Create Supplementary Activities
Supporting Supplementary Learning and Community Building

Workability I/TPP

WorkAbility l and Transition Partnership Program (TPP) provides pre-employment skills training, career and Post Secondary exploration and counseling, and paid Work Experience opportunities for students with a current IEP or 504 Plan. If you are interested in more information, contact Heather De Rosa at 408-201-2300 ext. 42217 or derosah@mhusd.org.

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Special Education