Who Is the DR-SEPAC?

The Dighton Rehoboth Special Education Parents Advisory Council [DR-SEPAC] represents almost 500 children with special needs within the Dighton Rehoboth School district. The DR-SEPAC provides education to administrators, teachers, parents and the broader community on Special Education issues and services. We work towards the understanding of respect, support, acceptance, and appropriate education for all children with special needs in our community.

The SEPAC, a parent-run group, is an important resource for parents of children with special needs.  We meet monthly during the regular school year to share important information on issues involving the education, health, safety, and rights of children who have IEPs. 

As a group we are committed to helping both parents, educators and the community build support for special education programs.  We help one another navigate through issues such as special education laws, regulations, mandates and parental rights, along with resources that are available to you.

What is a SEPAC?

Under the Code of Massachusetts Regulations 603 CMR 28:07 (4) each school district is required to have a Special Education Parent Advisory Council. It is a district-wide organization of parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and other interested parties working in partnership to provide an appropriate public education to all children with disabilities. The parent advisory council duties include but are not limited to: advising the district on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities; meeting regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of the school district's special education programs.

Mission Statement

 The Mission of the DRSEPAC is to be a positive, solution-oriented group focused on being a resource for parents and guardians of children with disabilities.  We are a forum of parents, guardians, educators, students and the Dighton Rehoboth Special Education Department sharing information and discussing matters of relative interest and concerns regarding our children.  This forum will enable its participants to develop, maintain and share tools and resource guides; and to raise awareness of children with disabilities.

Objectives:

To the School:

To promote an innovative educational environment where children with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities and a school environment where all children are encouraged to reach their optimum potential.

To the Parents:

To provide a network of parents promoting and facilitating communication between all parties encouraging understanding, respect, acceptance, and inclusion.

To the Community:

To become a resource for the community promoting a community-wide understanding of the issues impacting special education.

What We Do:

1.   Provide outreach and a network of support for parents, including access to relevant information, regulation and laws, training and emotional support.

2.   Promote an innovative educational environment where children with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities and a school environment where all children are encouraged to reach their potential.

3.   Collaborate with the school community to continually improve the educational opportunities available within and outside of our schools that promote improved educational outcomes for children with disabilities.

4.   Promote communication and programs within the community to encourage greater understanding, acceptance, compassion, and inclusion of children who have different needs.

5.   Stay current on public policy issues that impact all education in Massachusetts and respond as necessary.

The DR-SEPAC helps those who participate by:

• Offering advice parent-to-parent about navigating SPED services in Dighton and Rehoboth and what to do if you think your child has a disability.

• Providing informational forums to parents, educators, and community members in order to broaden their understanding of the spectrum of disabilities.

• Helping parents and guardians to understand special education laws, IEPs, 504s, and other available support services.

• Collaborating with school administrators, teachers, and the School Committee to continually improve the educational opportunities available that promote positive educational outcomes for children with disabilities.