SELPA is the acronym for the Special Education Local Plan Area.

The provision of special education and related services needs a minimum size and scope. Because many LEAs in California are under this minimum, SELPAs were created. They are a membership of school districts, charter schools, and County Offices of Education that provide special education and related services to students with disabilities.

Similar to School Districts, SELPA's provide local control and accountability to provide all of the special education assurances set forth in federal law.  

The California Department of Education has a web page that helps describe SELPAs. Also, the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) has a quick video that can help explain a SELPA.

The LAO has other short videos and information pertaining to special education in California:

http://www.lao.ca.gov/Videos/Player?playlistId=107
http://www.lao.ca.gov/reports/2013/edu/special-ed-primer/special-ed-primer-010313.aspx 
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/as/caselpas.asp 

The Fresno County SELPA provides (1) Compliance and Monitoring, (2) Professional Development, (3) Allocation of Special Education Funds, (4) Program and Fiscal Reporting, (5) Data Collection, and the (6) Ongoing Review of Programs. See our full list of SELPA programs and services here.