The Program Council consists of a special education administrator/designee from each participating Local Education Agency (LEA).

The purpose of the Program Council is to provide input to the SELPA Program Administrator regarding special education program/service needs, policies and procedures, agreements and forms, as well as the planning and implementation of personnel development programs. Meetings of the Program Council also provide participants with a venue for sharing ideas.

Responsibilities of the Program Council include but are not limited to:

• Review and recommend policies to the SELPA Administrator.
• Provide technical assistance to the SELPA Administrator, including but not limited to, development or revisions of policies and procedures related to the use and maintenance of facilities, records management, information systems and/or transportation.
• Participate in the review and development of the local plan for Special Education.
• Recommend to the SELPA Administrator changes including additional programs and/or services to be included in the annual service plan.
• Evaluate overall programs and services for effectiveness and report to the SELPA Administrator at least annually.
• Recommend allocation of resources within the SELPA in accordance with the local plan.
• Prepare programs and reports mandated by the LEAs, SELPA and CDE.
• Advise the SELPA Administrator on issues of provision of special education programs and services throughout the SELPA.
• Review the outcome of process hearings and complaints, and if a pattern develops, make appropriate recommendations to the SELPA Administrator.
• Provide leadership and support in order to implement the local plan.
• Act as liaison with parents, community resources, other LEAs, the SELPA Administrator and Superintendents' Council.
• Provide, review and approve required reports by the federal government, and/or California Department or Education.
• Review the CALPADS systems and data.
• Review and revise the Annual Service Plan for approval by the Superintendents' Council.
• Participate in the development and implementation of an annual staff development plan.
• Provide direction and leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of quality programs and services for students with special needs, including needed policy revisions.
• Participate in the development of appropriate special education services, which will ensure services are provided when specified in student's IEP and students with disabilities will have access to educational opportunities as non-disabled students;
• Coordinate and facilitate the day-to-day participation of LEA special education personnel and utilize other available resources to improve special education services in accordance with the provisions of the local plan and the decisions made by the Superintendents' Council.
• Provide resources to the Community Advisory Committee. EC 56205(a)12(C).