Getting Started
SEPACs are a district-wide organization of parents of children with disabilities and may include families of children in out-of-district placements. A balanced membership – parents of children in all grade levels and representing many disabilities – will give the group different perspectives as well as credibility as an advisory group.
The SEPAC founders should work with the district/special education administration as early as possible to get their support and cooperation. A meeting with the Administrator of Special Education is advised before the first meeting of the SEPAC. It takes time, effort, and patience to build an effective Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). We recommend using a structured and transparent process to boost parent input and build an effective partnership.
Quick Start Checklist
Contact school district leaders and ask if the district has a SEPAC
➢ If YES, a parent can ask about the current meeting schedule and who to contact to learn more.
➢ If there is NO active SEPAC, work with District leaders to identify other interested parents to form a SEPAC.
Start Networking
➢ Connect with MassPAC for help in starting or developing a SEPAC.
➢ Review the DESE SEPAC Guide and the National Advocacy in Action Guide.
➢ Join the MassPAC Facebook group and other regional SEPAC pages
➢ Work with the District to hold an organizational meeting, establish an Interim Leadership Team.
Get Organized
➢ Develop a short mission statement to explain the function and purpose of the SEPAC.
➢ Form a committee to review, revise or develop a set of SEPAC by-laws
➢ Establish basic ground rules for meetings and activities.
➢ Define member roles and responsibilities.
➢ Work with the District to communicate to all families, sharing information on SEPAC activities via website, flyers, messages
➢ Hold a public meeting to adopt by-laws, set date for elections.
➢ Plan and hold SEPAC elections.
Best Practices for Districts
➢ Develop a list of potential parent leaders; SEPAC membership should reflect the diversity of families in the school district.
➢ Invite all parents of children with disabilities (IEPs and 504 plans) to an organizational meeting.
➢ Work with Interim Leadership Team to develop a meeting schedule for the school year.
➢ Districts should retain copies of SEPAC by-laws for reference.
➢ Invite Interim SEPAC to School Committee meeting to outline the plan and ask for support.
➢ Offer to send out notices or a needs assessment survey to parents.
➢ Offer meeting assistance with respect to technology, interpretation or translation.
➢ Set up a communication plan through district channels.
Quick Guide for Starting a SEPAC
Questions? MassPAC can help! Reach out to us at masspac@fcsn.org.