Community Advisory Committee
CAC Mission
The Sonoma SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is dedicated to supporting, empowering, educating, and advocating for students with disabilities by serving as a collaborative liaison between families, educational agencies, and the greater community to ensure equitable and inclusive access to quality education.
What is the CAC?
California Education Code, Section 56190 requires that each local plan shall establish a Community Advisory Committee and California Education Code, Section 56194 outlines what a CAC does. CAC is additionally reference in California Education Code, Sections 56001, 56190-56194, 56195.7, 56195.9, 56200, 56205, 56240, 56728.7, and 56780.
The CAC is supported by the SELPA and is an important body in providing input to the SELPA Local Plan. Each CAC is unique to the needs of that regional area, but there are some commonalities across all CACs. A CAC should be a collaborative partnership of parents, educators, and community members to support the needs of individuals with disabilities, specifically students with disabilities. The CAC provides information, resources, and connection. It is a liaison between SELPA, SCOE, LEAs, students, families, educators, and community members.
The CAC collaborates with the local SELPA to ensure that the educational requirements of special education students are met. The CAC serves as a liaison between SELPA, the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE), local districts, families, community members, students, and teachers, so that all voices are heard.
The organization also provides consumer education, information, and referral to resources.
More information about the CAC and its operations can be found in the CAC Bylaws.
CAC Officers
- Chairperson - Emily King, Petaluma City Schools
- Vice-Chairperson - Jennifer Lemas, Sonoma Valley Unified
- Secretary - Open
- SELPA Representative - Julie Promes, SELPA
2026-2027 Meeting Schedule
We invite parents and guardians, educators, administrators, service providers, and community members to join us throughout the school year at our scheduled meetings. All meetings are open to the public. These meetings are held in a hybrid format - in person at SCOE (5340 Skylane Boulevard, Santa Rosa) and via video link (see Zoom link below). Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. with a business session, followed by an informational session presented by a guest speaker or panel of presenters.
11/17/2025 CAC Meeting (Left to Right: Julie Promes, Ellen Sweigert, Janel Plack)
Thank you Ellen Sweigert (NBRC Consumer Advocate) for your information presentation.
| Date | Location | Topic | Resources |
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| SCOE: Skylane Blvd Santa Rosa CA 95403 |
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| SCOE: Skylane Blvd Santa Rosa CA 95403 |
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| SCOE: Skylane Blvd Santa Rosa CA 95403 |
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SCOE: Skylane Blvd Santa Rosa CA 95403 |
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2026-2027 Mini Meeting Schedule
These mini meetings will only be held via Zoom from 12:00p.m. - 12:45p.m. They will not replace regular scheduled meetings and are a new addition to our CAC. These meetings are being offered as another option for the community to connect with us. We will be focusing on "Understanding the Special Education System" throughout the coming year
Zoom Link:
| Date | Location | Topic | Resources |
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| Virtual Via Zoom | |||
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| Virtual Via Zoom | |||
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Virtual Via Zoom |