Santa Clara County Office of Education

The Educational Services, Student Services and Support Division provides countywide education programs for students with disabilities, students who are under court su​pervision and students who are not attending regular schools. The Division also operates preschool and child development programs; provides environmental education; helps districts run their special education programs; and provides education for children of migrant families.​​

The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional and business services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County.  The SCCOE serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Regional Occupational Programs.

The Santa Clara County Office of Education is also the Early Head Start (EHS) grantee in Santa Clara County. The Early Head Start Program enrolls eligible infants and toddlers and provides services in collaboration with CalSAFE (teenage mothers), Job Corps, and Parkway Child Development Programs.   Head Start’s free preschool program offers both part-day and full-day early childhood programs.

Head Start serves pre-schoolers age 18 mo-5 yrs. for low income families. Head Start also meets the needs of children with disabilities by working closely with the school districts & community agencies to provide opportunities for dual enrollment & inclusion. Head start is federally funded. Head Start offers part-day preschool programs, full-day/full year programs that are free of charge for income eligible children whose parents are working full time or enrolled in school or training programs. Head Start program reserves 10% of it’s enrollment slots for preschool children with disabilities. Priority will be given to families with the lowest income.

The SCCOE’s Special Education Department partners with the county’s schools to serve students with disabilities from birth to age 22. We provide a variety of services for children and students with severe or low-incidence disabilities through instructional programs divided into Early Education (birth to age 3), preschool, elementary, secondary and post-senior.

We operate classes on public school campuses to serve children with special needs, and we align all classroom curriculum goals with the California Content Standards and the Preschool Learning Foundations. Our students receive instruction in the regular core curriculum in the state content areas and participate in state testing programs.

The SCCOE also acts as Local Education Agency (LEA) for students who reside in Licensed Children’s Institutions and attend nonpublic schools. The Special Education Department also provides services to special education students attending institutional schools, community schools and pediatric-skilled nursing facilities.

Another Santa Clara County Office program is Inclusion Collaborative.

The Inclusion Collaborative of the SCCOE builds a culture that promotes equity, inclusion and belonging, valuing every student by strengthening, sustaining, and ensuring inclusive practices. We believe every individual regardless of abilities and disabilities has the right to equitable access to quality inclusive learning and community environments.

ADVOCACY & ACCESS

Our focus is the successful inclusion and equity of ALL children regardless of abilities and disabilities in preschool and child care centers, school districts and family and community settings through education, advocacy and awareness. Our advocacy goals include:

Partner with agencies to ensure equity
Support access in schools and community agencies for every child, regardless of ability.
Outreach to community to educate about inclusive practices
Collaborative with community agencies to support inclusion
Impact public policy and support legislation related to inclusion of all children.

TRAINING & COACHING

Evidence-based professional development, coaching and technical assistance for schools, families, after-school programs, childcare centers, family child care homes, and community agencies.

Keywords: Spanish, Vietnamese

• Free Inclusion Support Warm Line (408) 453-6651 or [email protected]
• Comprehensive Website including upcoming professional development and useful resources www.inclusioncollaborative.org

SCCOE’s website contains a public school directory.

The SELPA units within the Santa Clara county  develop and maintain healthy and enriching environments in which special needs students and families can live and succeed.  SELPAs are dedicated to the belief that all students can learn and that special needs students must be guaranteed equal opportunity to become contributing members of society. SELPAs facilitate high quality educational programs and services for special needs students and training for parents and educators.

Community Opportunities for Navigating and Networking Educational and Career Transitions – or CONNECT – this is a post secondary program which furthers students’ awareness and access to the possibilities of the future. The community-based program expands their recreation, vocation and education skills and experiences.

• RECREATIONAL OPTIONS – Our recreation options include bike riding, bocce ball, bowling, choir, dance class, disc golf, health and fitness clubs, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, music appreciation, photography, rock climbing, ropes course, safety-awareness training, tennis, woodworking and yoga.
• VOCATIONAL OPTIONS – CONNECT works with teachers and employers to provide a variety of vocational services: training and assessment, placement assistance, worksite supervision, vocational follow-up, continuing education, transit education, career counseling and a job club.
• EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS – We provide classroom instruction in nearly a dozen topics: communications skills, community safety, cooking and food choices, health and nutrition, independent-living skills, family-life training, computer skills, community college classes, social skills, and self-determination skills.

SCCOE offers vocational training through its Workability program

The Santa Clara County Office of Education facilitates and supports districts in the development of equitable parent leadership and voice that meaningfully contributes to district and school governance and the academic growth of all students.​​
PARENT ENGAGEMENT INTIATIVE
​Recognizing the critical role that parental involvement plays in student success, the Santa Clara County Office of Education began the Region V Parent Engagement Initiative to provide parents with the tools to support their children’s academic achievement – and then teach other parents to do the same.