Special Education
Finding information about learning differences, disabilities, and special education services can sometimes feel overwhelming. We hope the following resources help you understand what types of special education services we offer, how to work with our department, and what your parental rights are.
- Special Education FAQ
- Special Education Strategic Plan
- AUSD's Continuum of Services
- North Region SELPA Parent Handbook (PDF)
- North Region SELPA Resource Parents Program Brochure (PDF)
- Parent Guide & Assessment (PDF)
- Private Schools (PDF)
Special Education Procedural Rights
SELPA Notice of Public Hearing
SELPA CAC 10/26/20 Meeting
SELPA CAC 11/23/20 Meeting
- Agenda
- Bylaw Amendments (DRAFT)
SELPA CAC 3/22/21 Meeting
SELPA CAC 4/26/2021 Meeting
SELPA Policy Board 6/24/2021 Meeting
Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) and the North Region SELPA provide a full continuum of services for students ages 0-22 who are eligible for special education and related services. Those services include (but are not limited to) access to:
- General education classroom with specialized academic instruction
- General education classroom with specialist services
- General education classroom with related services
- Special education classroom with specialized academic instruction
- Instruction in settings other than classrooms with specialized academic instruction
- Itinerant instruction in classrooms, learning centers and settings other than classrooms
- Instruction in classrooms throughout the SELPA for individuals with exceptional needs who require intensive instruction and training
- Instruction in the home, hospitals, or other institutions
For more information on the types of services we provide, please check our AUSD Special Education Services page.
In the spring of 2017, AUSD formed a committee to create a three- to five year plan for the delivery of special education services in AUSD. Based on recommendations from the Fiscal Crisis Management Assistance Team, the committee was comprised of parents, community members, general and special education teachers, specialists, classified staff, and administrators.
coronavirus information
Please go to our dedicated COVID_19 Special Education Resources page for details on our response to the current pandemic.
Special Education Contacts
Niel Tam Education Center
2060 Challenger Dr.,
Alameda, CA 94501
Phone: (510) 337-7194
Fax: (510) 864-2309
Randhir Bains
Sr. Director of Special Education
(510) 337-7098 ext. 77098
Betty Lin
Coordinator, Preschool through
Elementary and Autism Programs
(510) 337-7033 ext. 77033
Julie Venuto
Coordinator,
Secondary, Private School, Non Public School, and Mod/Sev Continuum
(510) 337-7084 ext. 77084
Jill Hunter
Program Manager, Preschool
(510) 337-7128 ext. 77128
Gabriel Welcher
Program Manager, Private School and Non Public School
(510) 337-7928 ext. 77928
Chandini Stanley
Program Manager, Curriculum & Instruction, Assessment & Acceleration
(510) 337-7005 ext. 77005
Myra Santome-Elias
Data and Compliance Administrator
(510) 337-7093 ext. 77093
Mary Hallford
Budget Analyst
(510) 337-7177
Christina Nieves
Office Assistant
(510) 337-7000 ext. 77075
Stefanie Cox
TSA - Special Education, Moderate/Severe
(510) 337-7203 ext. 77203
Julia Neff
TSA - Special Education, Mild/Moderate
(510) 337-
Tara Donoghue
Behavior Specialist
(510) 337-7041 ext. 77041
Tamar Cohen
Behavior Specialist
(510) 337-7046 ext. 77046
Joan Ralph
Behavior Specialist
(510) 337-7041 ext. 77041
Ingrid Ryan
Behavior Specialist
(510) 337-7046 ext. 77046
Mary Grace Basco
Preschool Specialist
(510) 337-7035 ext. 77035
Karyn Missaggia
Transition Services Specialist
(510) 337-7127 ext. 77127
