About Us

What Is a SEPAG?

A Special Education Parent Advisory Group serves as a representative body on behalf of students with special educational needs and their families. This is in accordance with the state’s special education mandate: New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14-1.2(h) which states, “Each Board of Education shall ensure that a special education parent advisory group is in place in the district to provide input to the district on issues concerning students with disabilities.”

Our Purpose

• To provide direct input to, and work collaboratively with, the Ridgewood Public Schools Special Programs Office (SPO) and the Ridgewood Board of Education on the policies, programs, and practices that affect services and supports for students with disabilities.

• To increase the involvement of families of children with special needs in school activities.

• To advise on issues that affect the education, health, and safety of students with special needs.

• To support, educate and mentor parents/guardians of special needs’ children as they advocate for their children’s special education needs.

• To provide information regarding special education services and programs available in the Ridgewood public schools, in out-of-district placements, in the community, and through the county, state and federal governments. 

• To financially support scholarships and initiatives of the membership’s choosing.

• To work collaboratively with local, state and federal agencies and non-government agencies and associations who provide services, programs and/or information to Ridgewood’s special education families regarding matters that are relevant to the organization’s membership. 

• To promote inclusion and acceptance of students with special needs.

Families We Serve

The Ridgewood SEPAG serves families of students aged 3-21 at all levels of programming and support. We serve those needing minimal academic support, those needing educational services due to disabilities such as dyslexia or ADHD, those receiving related services (e.g., speech, occupational therapy, or physical therapy), and those all along the continuum of learning and developmental disabilities.

We serve families of students in all of Ridgewood's schools and programs, as well as in out-of-district placements. Our goal is to support families going through the special education process, regardless of their children's placement.

We serve families of students regardless of their stage of the process. We support families not yet eligible for services, in the process of having their child evaluated, or who have children already identified and receiving services.

Ridgewood SEPAG Membership

General membership is open to all parents/guardians of Ridgewood students who receive special education services through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan (and such students), Ridgewood’s special education staff and other interested individuals who live in Ridgewood.

What We Do

Educate. We educate members about special education through informal events and our bi-monthly information meetings, which are attended by representatives of the Ridgewood Special Programs Office and the Board of Education.

Advise. We gather feedback about special education in the district and deliver it to administrators and the Board of Education to help generate solutions that positively impact all students in the district.

Support. We host social events where parents and guardians can share their expertise and personal experiences.

Enrich. We offer scholarships to graduating seniors and provide funding to enhance enrichment activities for district special education students.

Ridgewood SEPAG By-Laws