Advisory Commission on Special Education Members
- David Toston, Chair
Victoria Graf, Vice Chair - Dawn Hamilton
- Betty Lieu
April Lopez - Russell Michaud
Sarah Notch
Christine Oyakawa
Gloria Ruiz - Aubrey Scott
Heather Snipes
Barbara Sorter
- Matthew Wilkins
Student Members
- Rachael Ding
- Saran Tugsjargal
Legislative Members
- Honorable Marie Alvarado-Gil, Senate
Honorable James Gallagher, Assembly
State Board of Education
Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, Liaison
State Special Schools
Nancy Hlibok Amann, Director, State Special Schools and Services Division
California Department of Education
Executive Secretary
Dr. Rachel Heenan, Director, Special Education Division
California Department of Education
Agenda times are approximate and are provided for convenience only. Items may be re-ordered to be heard on any day of the noticed meeting or on a subsequent agenda. The order of business may be changed without notice. Every effort will be made to webcast this meeting in its entirety, but some portions may not be webcast due to logistical constraints.
Reasonable Accommodation for Any Individual With a Disability
Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in a meeting or function of the Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE), may request assistance by contacting the Special Education Division (SED), 1430 N Street, Suite 2401, Sacramento, CA, 95814; telephone, 916-445-4602; fax, 916-327-3706.
Advisory Commission on Special Education
| Meeting Schedule | Meeting Location |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, June 4, 2025 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time ± |
California Department of Education |
| Thursday, June 5, 2025 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pacific Time ± |
California Department of Education 1430 N Street, Room 1101 Sacramento, California 916-445-4602 |
Advisory Commission on Special Education Meeting Logistics
Members of the public may view the meeting by live webcast, which will subsequently be archived on the ACSE Meeting Webcasts web page.
The June 4‒5, 2025, ACSE meeting will be held at the California Department of Education (CDE), at the address noted above. The CDE building will be open to the public, however capacity may be limited to allow for physical distancing and members of the public are strongly encouraged to wear masks.
Public Comment Guidelines
Public comment may be via email, phone, or in-person, as specified below.
The public is highly encouraged to submit written comment to the ACSE members in advance for prior consideration. In order to ensure Commissioners have time to review comments, please submit comments by noon on Friday, May 30, 2025. However, comments received after that time will be forwarded to Commission members until the day of the meeting. Comments should be submitted to the ACSE mailbox at ACSE@cde.ca.gov. The following information should be included in the body of the email: (1) commenter's first and last name, (2) organization affiliation, (3) agenda item number or general public comment.
Phone
Public comment may also be provided by dialing the phone number and participant access code that will be provided on June 4–5, 2025, and then following the operator's prompts. Upon dialing in, callers will be added to a caller queue. The operator will notify callers when it is their turn to provide public comment. Public comment will be limited to one minute for each agenda item unless otherwise specified by the ACSE. Members of the public wishing to dial in for public comment should view the live-stream of the meeting. The number and access code will be provided at the start of public comment for each item.
Prior to making public comment, speakers who are watching the meeting via live webcast should make sure the volume on their computer is muted to avoid echoing or feedback during the call.
Please use the phone number and access code provided below:
- Phone number: 717-908-1937
- Participant Access Code: 4679071#
In-Person
Public comment may also be provided in-person at the ACSE meeting. However, capacity may be limited to allow for physical distancing and members of the public are strongly encouraged to wear masks. Individuals who wish to comment on a specific agenda item or provide general public comment must sign up on the public comment roster prior to public comment. Public comment will be limited to one minute for each agenda item unless otherwise specified by the ACSE.
Agenda Item Materials
Agenda item materials, including presentation materials, are available by sending a request for copies to ACSE@cde.ca.gov.
Advisory Commission on Special Education
Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 10 a.m. Pacific Time ±
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California
Begin Meeting
10 to 10:15 a.m. Pacific Time ±
- Call to Order: Roll Call
- Salute to the American Flag
- Review of Agenda: Day One
- Review of Public Comment Options
- Swearing in of Commissioner
- Communications and Announcements
Item 1
10:15 to 11 a.m.
California Alliance of Child and Family Services: The California Alliance of Child and Family Services (CACFS) will be highlighting their newly released 2025 Special Education Guide. CACFS also provides insight into the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, highlighting where their members are involved and collaborating with education and other partners to support youth. Presenters: Corina Dubon, Vice President of Outreach and Development, CACFS, and Adrienne Shilton, Vice President of Public Policy and Strategy, CACFS. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 2
11 to 11:45 a.m.
Impact Award: Presentation of the Impact Award recipient – Orange Unified School District, Pathways to Possibility: Inclusion in Action, Advancing Opportunities for Students. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Lunch
11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Item 3
1 to 1:15 p.m.
General Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. The ACSE is precluded from discussing matters not on the agenda; however, questions may be asked by Commissioners for clarification purposes. Issues raised by the public may be referred to in a future meeting agenda. The chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations. (Item Type: Information)
Item 4
1:15 to 2 p.m.
The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI): This presentation will provide an overview of California’s multi-year, multi-billion-dollar initiative aimed at expanding and enhancing behavioral health services and support for children, youth, and families. Presenter: Sohil R. Sud, Director, CYBHI. (Item type: Information, Discussion)
Item 5
2 to 2:45 p.m.
Annual Election of Officers: The Commission will hold the annual election of officers for 2025–26. The Election committee will propose bylaw amendments to the term of officers. (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Break
2:45 to 3 p.m.
Item 6
3 to 3:45 p.m.
School Reintegration Program Connecting Hospitals with School Districts: This presentation provides an overview of the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) School Reintegration Program. Since opening the CHOC Mental Health Inpatient Unit in 2018, the team has been partnering with local school districts to communicate and collaborate with schools to provide information and education, decrease stigma, and enhance the patient and family experience in transitioning back to school after receiving acute mental health services. Presenters: Mary-Helen Bennett, School Liaison, CHOC, and Gabriela Hernandez, Psychosocial Supervisor, CHOC. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 7
3:45 to 4:35 p.m.
Committee Study Sessions and ACSE Agenda Building (Operational and Planning Committee): Presenters: Commissioners. In accordance with ACSE bylaws, Operations and Planning, Policy and Legislation committees will meet. (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 8
4:35 to 4:55 p.m.
General Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. The ACSE is precluded from discussing matters not on the agenda; however, questions may be asked by Commissioners for clarification purposes. Issues raised by the public may be referred to in a future meeting agenda. The chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations. (Item Type: Information)
Adjournment
5 p.m.
Adjournment of meeting, day one.
Advisory Commission on Special Education
Thursday, June 5, 2025, 9 a.m. Pacific Time ±
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California
Begin Meeting
9 to 9:15 a.m. Pacific Time ±
- Call to Order: Roll Call
- Salute to the American Flag
- Review of Agenda: Day Two
- Review of Public Comment Options
- Communications and Announcements
Item 9
9:15 to 10 a.m.
ACSE Recognition Impact Award Planning: Commissioners will discuss 2025–26 recognition award process. (Item Type: Information, Discussion, Action)
Item 10
10 to 10:45 a.m.
The California Association of Resource and Special Educators (CARSplus): CARSplus is the sole statewide association dedicated to representing the unique needs of special educators and their support staff across California. Since 1981, our goals have included providing professional support, increasing public awareness of special education, addressing current issues to develop policies, and actively representing and protecting the interests of special educators in legislative and educational settings. Presenter: Lana Telles, President. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Break
10:45 to 11 a.m.
Item 11
11 to 11:20 a.m.
Commissioners, State Board of Education, and Director of State Special Schools Liaison Reports: An update from Commissioner Liaisons, State Board of Education (SBE) Liaison, and Director of State Special Schools (SSS) Liaison will be provided. Presenters: Commissioners, ASCE, Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, SBE, Nancy Hlibok Amann, SSS. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 12
11:20 to 11:40 a.m.
Special Education Director’s Report: An update on activities within the Special Education Division will be provided. Presenter: Rachel Heenan, Director of Special Education, CDE. (Item Type: Information, Discussion)
Item 13
11:40 a.m. to 12 p.m.
General Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. The ACSE is precluded from discussing matters not on the agenda; however, questions may be asked by Commissioners for clarification purposes. Issues raised by the public may be referred to in a future meeting agenda. The chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations. (Item Type: Information)
Adjournment
12 to 12:05 p.m.
Adjournment of meeting