Special Education Advocacy PTA of SJUSD

10/17/2026

💚 Building community. Creating connections. Making sure no family feels alone.

Our Special Education Advocacy PTA of SJUSD was founded on May 18, 2026. In just a few months, our members have poured their time, energy, and hearts into building our community, raising awareness, and bringing in the funds needed to help our new organization grow.

At the heart of this work is a lasting community of support for students receiving special education services in San Juan Unified School District and their families.

We want families to walk into IEP meetings feeling supported, prepared, and heard. We want friendships built on shared experiences, guidance, and encouragement. And we want students to feel safe, included, and heard throughout their educational journeys.

One person who has helped us build that foundation deserves a very special THANK YOU: Lacey Martinez, owner of Tangle Free A Low Sensory Salon! 💚 Lacey Martinez Tangle Free A Low Sensory Salon

Lacey chose our SEPTA as the nonprofit beneficiary of her campaign for Carmichael Honorary Mayor through the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce. The candidate who raises the most money earns the title, and the official results will be announced at the Best of Carmichael event in November. Carmichael Chamber of Commerce

While we don’t know the results yet, we already have so much to celebrate and be grateful for.

Lacey has put herself out there, brought people together, and dedicated countless hours to planning and supporting this effort. Through personal donations, business contributions, and fundraisers—including our amazing All Abilities Dance—we have raised funds that will help our SEPTA begin carrying out the work we envision for students and families.

Just as meaningful are the people we have met, the friendships we have formed, and the community partnerships we can continue building for years to come.

Every event represents thought, planning, energy, and people choosing to show up for our kids. Lacey’s passion for inclusion and sensory-friendly spaces shines through in everything she does, and we are so grateful she is part of our community and SEPTA team.

👇 Please leave a comment below to help us thank Lacey! Let her know how much we appreciate her time, heart, and commitment to helping our students and families feel welcome and supported.

Lacey, whatever the final results, you have already made a lasting difference. Thank you! 💚

Please visit our website www.InclusiveSJUSD.org to find out more about our PTA.

10/15/2026

🍂💛 We FELL TOGETHER and made some beautiful memories! 💛🍂

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out to our Falling Together All Abilities Dance! From the families who joined us to the amazing vendors, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners who made it possible — we couldn’t have done it without you!

Seeing people of all abilities come together, have fun, make connections, and simply be themselves is exactly what this event was all about. 💚

Thank you for helping us create a community where EVERYONE belongs!

With love and gratitude,
Lacey Martinez
SEPTA Inclusive Community
Coordinator
Honorary Mayor Candidate 🌻

10/15/2026

Thank you to all that joined us for the All Abilities Dance. This was a great community event and funds raised will help support our Special Education Advocacy PTA of SJUSD through the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce and Lacey Martinez Carmichael Honorary Mayor Campaign.

10/15/2026

Carmichael Chamber of Commerce gave us the Community Engagement Award at the Carmichael Founders Day/Harvest Featival. It was great to talk and meet with so many people. This community is 💪.

10/13/2026

One mom stressed that parents should remember they are the experts on their own child. Read more in the comments ⬇️

10/13/2026

Another article for families from Abridged by PBS KVIE, mentioning our Special Education Advocacy PTA of SJUSD! 💚

We appreciate the continued attention to special education and the importance of families supporting one another. Our president, Ryan Digman, also contacted the reporter this morning to clarify the role of Community Advisory Committees, or CACs.

California Education Code requires each Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) to establish a CAC. San Juan Unified is a single-district SELPA with its own CAC, while other districts participate in multi-district SELPAs with a CAC representing families across participating districts.

Parents must make up a majority of CAC membership, and a majority of those parents must have children with disabilities. A central responsibility is advising SELPA leadership on the development, review, and revision of the special education Local Plan, recommending priorities, and encouraging parent and community involvement.

CACs are an important avenue for parent voices to help shape special education. However, how they function can vary across districts and SELPAs. When leadership does not create space for open, meaningful discussion, families can feel unheard and the committee’s ability to fulfill its purpose is weakened.

Parents need opportunities to raise concerns, ask difficult questions, and recommend improvements to the systems serving their children. Meaningful participation requires district and SELPA leadership to listen, consider recommendations, and engage with families.

As SEPTA, we believe families are stronger when we come together. We hope this coverage encourages more discussion about the role of CACs—and inspires more parents to speak up, get involved, and help strengthen special education for every child.

Our voices matter. Our experiences matter. Together, we can create change. 💚

Read and share:

https://www.abridged.org/news/special-education-parents-what-to-know/

10/11/2026

10/11/2026

Good day talking to people about the Special Education Advocacy PTA of SJUSD

10/10/2026

Thank you to the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce at the Carmichael Founders Day!