The California Department of Education (CDE), Special Education Division (SED), Interagency-Nonpublic Schools and Agencies Unit (IA-NPS/A) is pleased to announce the implementation of a new Web based system for submitting certification applications for the 2011-12 school year. The new methodology will utilize the CDE’s electronic Web based California Accountability and Improvement System (CAIS) evidence collection system.
CAIS will allow the certification process to become essentially paperless. The majority of the certification application will be completed in an electronic format in the CAIS system. The only exceptions to the electronic submission are the credentials, degrees, and/or licenses. Schools and agencies have the option of scanning and uploading credentials, degrees, and/or licenses, or submitting paper copies of these documents if that option is more convenient. Please mail these documents to:
California Department of Education
Special Education Division
Interagency-Nonpublic Schools/Agencies Unit
1430 N Street, Suite 240
Sacramento CA 95814
The online Nonpublic Schools and Agencies certification applications became available on Monday, August 1, 2011.
Completed renewal applications need to be submitted by October 31, 2011.
Select the type of Certification Application that the applicant will be submitting for 2012:
- New Nonpublic School Certification
- Renewing Nonpublic School Certification
- New Nonpublic Agency Certification
- Renewing Nonpublic Agency Certification
Nonpublic Agency (NPA) Questions
Questions regarding NPAs may be directed to the SED, IA-NPSA contacts listed below.
First Letter of NPA Name |
Analyst |
Area Code (916) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
A-E |
Christie Colamartino | 327-3692 |
|
F-O |
Debra Heseman | 327-3690 |
|
P-Z |
Linda Warren | 445-7313 |
|
Out-of-State NPA |
Linda Warren | 445-7313 |
Nonpublic School (NPS) Questions
Questions regarding NPSs may be directed to the SED, IA-NPSA contacts listed below.
The county assignments are displayed on a map of California (Updated 11-Aug-2011; PDF).
| County | Consultant |
|
Area Code (916) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Alpine |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Amador |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Butte |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Calaveras |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Colusa |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Contra Costa |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Del Norte |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| El Dorado |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Fresno |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Glenn |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Humbolt |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Imperial |
Peggy Hernandez | phernandez@cde.ca.gov | 327-3546 |
| Inyo |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Kern |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Kings |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Lake |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Lassen |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Los Angeles | Pamela Quiroz | pquiroz@cde.ca.gov | 327-3699 |
| Madera |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Marin |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Mariposa |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Mendocino |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Merced |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Modoc |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Mono |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Monterey |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Napa |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Nevada |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Orange |
Peggy Hernandez | phernandez@cde.ca.gov | 327-3546 |
| Placer |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Plumas |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Riverside |
Peggy Hernandez | phernandez@cde.ca.gov | 327-3546 |
| Sacramento |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| San Benito |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| San Bernardino |
Peggy Hernandez | phernandez@cde.ca.gov | 327-3546 |
| San Diego |
Peggy Hernandez | phernandez@cde.ca.gov | 327-3546 |
| San Francisco |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| San Joaquin |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| San Luis Obispo |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| San Mateo |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Santa Barbara |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Santa Clara |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Santa Cruz |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Shasta |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Sierra |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Siskiyou |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Solano |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Sonoma |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Stanislaus |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Sutter |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Tehama |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Trinity |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Tulare |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Tuolumne |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Ventura |
Shellie Higuera |
shiguera@cde.ca.gov | 327-3549 |
| Yolo |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Yuba |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Out-of-State NPS |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
| Exceptions to County Assignments | Consultant |
|
Area Code (916) |
|---|---|---|---|
Anova Center for Education Little Citizens Westside Academy Sierra Schools Spectrum Schools The Help Group T.I.E.E. Schools UHS Schools |
Marco Farias |
324-4536 |
Application for Certification of a New Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School (NPS)
The completion of the Certification Application via CAIS is required for private schools who wish to apply for certification to serve individuals with exceptional needs under California Education Code (EC) Section 56366.1. New applications will be accepted throughout the year unless the agency falls under the requirements of EC 56366.1 (k).
Applicants must complete and submit the entire application through the CAIS system in order to be considered for certification. Failure to do so could result in denial of the application.
It is strongly recommended that EC sections 56365 through 56366.12 and the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, be reviewed for qualification standards
required for NPSs.
Please follow these steps to begin the certification process:
| Step | Certification Processes for New NPS |
|---|---|
1 |
Review the General Certification Information (DOC) for detailed information regarding the certification requirements. |
2 |
Download and complete the Applicant Information Template (DOC). |
3 |
Mail completed Applicant Information Template and a check made payable to California Department of Education (amounts located on Applicant Information Template) to cover the certification fee to: California Department of Education, Special Education Division |
4 |
Once the check and the Applicant Information Template are received, the CDE staff will create a profile for the school and send an e-mail with a link that will allow the applicant to begin using the CAIS system to complete the certification application. |
5 |
Once in the CAIS system, the applicant will need to thoroughly review the CAIS Application Instructions for New NPS (DOC) for detailed instructions on how to use the new CAIS system to complete the application. |
6 |
Complete all components of the Certification Application in CAIS and send to the local Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) via CAIS or via regular mail. |
7 |
Once the SELPA has reviewed the certification application and signs the “Notification to Seek Certification” form, the applicant should scan the signed “Notification to Seek Certification” form and attach it to CAIS. |
8 |
After attaching the “Notification to Seek Certification” form, the applicant submits the certification application via CAIS to the CDE for review. |
9 |
The CDE will review the application and provide feedback on whether all items in the application meet the certification requirements. |
10 |
The applicant will provide any additional information requested by the CDE via the CAIS system. |
11 |
Once all of the items in the application have been approved, the CDE will issue the new NPS certification. |
Application for Certification of a Renewing Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School (NPS)
The completion of the Certification Application via CAIS is required for NPSs who wish to apply for certification renewal to serve individuals with exceptional needs under California Education Code (EC) Section 56366.1.
Applicants must complete and submit the entire application through the CAIS system in order to be considered for Certification Renewal.
Please follow these steps to begin the certification process:
| Step | Certification Processes for Renewing NPS |
|---|---|
1 |
Review the General Certification Information (DOC) for detailed information regarding the certification requirements. |
2 |
Download and complete the Applicant Information Template (DOC). |
3 |
Mail completed Applicant Information Template and a check made payable to California Department of Education (amounts located on Applicant Information Template) to cover the certification fee to: California Department of Education, Special Education Division |
4 |
Once the check and the Applicant Information Template are received, the CDE staff will create a profile for the agency and send an e-mail with a link that will allow the NPS to begin using the CAIS system to complete the certification application. |
5 |
Once in the CAIS system, the NPS will need to thoroughly review the CAIS Application Instructions for Renewing NPS (DOC) for detailed instructions on how to use the new CAIS system to complete the application. |
6 |
Complete all components of the Certification Application in CAIS and send to the local Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) via CAIS or via regular mail. |
7 |
Once the SELPA has reviewed the certification application and signs the “Notification to Seek Certification” form, the NPS should scan the signed “Notification to Renew Certification” form and attach it to CAIS. |
8 |
After attaching the “Notification to Seek Certification” form, the applicant submits the certification application via CAIS to the CDE for review. |
9 |
The CDE will review the application and provide feedback on whether all items in the application meet the certification requirements. |
10 |
The NPS will provide any additional information requested by the CDE via the CAIS system. |
11 |
Once all of the items in the application have been approved, the CDE will issue the NPS a renewed certification. |
Application for Certification of a New Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency (NPA)
The completion of the Certification Application via CAIS is required for private agencies who wish to apply for certification to serve individuals with exceptional needs under California Education Code (EC) Section 56366.1. New applications will be accepted throughout the year unless the agency falls under the requirements of EC 56366.1 (k).
Applicants must complete and submit the entire application through the CAIS system in order to be considered for certification. Failure to do so could result in denial of the application.
It is strongly recommended that EC sections 56365 through 56366.12 and the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, be reviewed for qualification standards
required for NPAs.
Please follow these steps to begin the certification process.
| Step | Certification Processes for New NPA |
|---|---|
1 |
Review the General Certification Information (DOC) for detailed information regarding the certification requirements. |
2 |
Download and complete the Applicant Information Template (DOC). |
3 |
Mail completed Applicant Information Template and a check made payable to California Department of Education (amounts located on Applicant Information Template) to cover the certification fee to: California Department of Education, Special Education Division |
4 |
Once the check and Applicant Information Template are received, the CDE staff will create a profile for the agency and send an e-mail with a link that will allow the applicant to begin using the CAIS system to complete the certification application. |
5 |
Once in the CAIS system, the applicant will need to thoroughly review the CAIS Application Instructions for New NPA (DOC) for detailed instructions on how to use the new CAIS system to complete the application. |
6 |
Complete all components of the Certification Application in CAIS and send to the local Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) via CAIS or via regular mail. |
7 |
Once the SELPA has reviewed the certification application and signs the “Notification to Seek Certification” form, the applicant should scan the signed “Notification to Seek Certification” form and attach it to CAIS. |
8 |
After attaching the “Notification to Seek Certification” form, the applicant submits the certification application via CAIS to the CDE for review. |
9 |
The CDE will review the application and provide feedback on whether all items in the application meet the certification requirements. |
10 |
The applicant will provide any additional information requested by the CDE via the CAIS system. |
11 |
Once all of the items in the application have been approved, the CDE will issue the new NPA certification. |
Application for Certification of a Renewing Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency (NPA)
The completion of the Certification Application via CAIS is required for NPAs who wish to apply for certification renewal to serve individuals with exceptional needs under California Education Code (EC) Section 56366.1.
Applicants must complete and submit the entire application through the CAIS system in order to be considered for Certification Renewal.
Please follow these steps to begin the certification process:
| Step | Certification Processes for Renewing NPA |
|---|---|
1 |
Review the General Certification Information (DOC) for detailed information regarding the certification requirements. |
2 |
Download and complete the Applicant Information Template (DOC). |
3 |
Mail completed Applicant Information Template and a check made payable to California Department of Education (amounts located on Applicant Information Template) to cover the certification fee to: California Department of Education, Special Education Division |
4 |
Once the check and the Applicant Information Template are received, the CDE staff will create a profile for the agency and send an e-mail with a link that will allow the NPA to begin using the CAIS system to complete the certification application. |
5 |
Once in the CAIS system, the NPA will need to thoroughly review the CAIS Application Instructions for Renewing NPA (DOC) for detailed instructions on how to use the new CAIS system to complete the application. |
6 |
Complete all components of the Certification Application in CAIS and send to the local Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) via CAIS or via regular mail. |
7 |
Once SELPA has reviewed the certification application and signs the “Notification to Seek Certification” form, the NPA should scan the signed “Notification to Seek Certification” form and attach it to CAIS |
8 |
After attaching the “Notification to Renew Certification” form, the NPA submits the certification application via CAIS to the CDE for review. |
9 |
The CDE will review the application and provide feedback on whether all items in the application meet the certification requirements. |
10 |
The NPA will provide any additional information requested by the CDE via the CAIS system. |
11 |
Once all of the items in the application have been approved, the CDE will issue the NPA a renewed certification |
