SEPAG Development Parent Starter Kit
RESOURCE DESCRIPTION
This comprehensive starter kit provides parent leaders with resources needed to revitalize or strengthen their SEPAG, including an introductory guidebook, guidance for planning and organizing your first meeting, a survey template to help gather community input, and ready-to-use sample emails for district outreach. All materials are designed to streamline the process, build momentum, and support effective parent leadership.
Topics:
SEPAG Formation, SEPAG Development
Best For:
SEPAG Leaders (Parents)
V3.0; last updated May 29th, 2026
Parent SEPAG Leadership: Where to Start Guide
New parent leaders often feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume and variety of resources available online. This guidebook was created with that challenge in mind, focusing on the most common questions and concerns while presenting information in a clear, organized, and accessible way.
SEPAG Kickoff Meeting Guidance
The first SEPAG meeting sets the foundation for future collaboration. Use this time to introduce members, discuss the role and purpose of the SEPAG, identify areas of shared interest, and begin building a supportive community. This list can help guide your preparations.
Google Parent Input Survey (Template)
When you click the link, you will be prompted to make a copy of the survey, which will be saved to the Google Drive account you are currently signed into.
Click Here to Make a Copy of the Template | Haz clic aquí para hacer una copia de la plantilla.
Using a survey is an excellent way to demonstrate your group’s commitment to building community and ensuring that all voices are heard. This template is especially helpful for groups becoming more parent-led, and it can be used to gather input from families and inform decisions such as preferred meeting times, formats, and discussion topics. The survey is available in both English and Spanish to support accessibility and broader family engagement.
Ready-to-Use Sample Emails for District Outreach
Connecting With Your District Leader
A district leader is a district staff member, usually the Director of Special Education, that supports a SEPAG. The district liaison will hear input from parents and often assists with organizing meetings, arranging speakers, and sharing information with other parents.
As you develop your group, use the below email as a guide to invite the Director of Special Education to serve as your SEPAG's district liaison.
To: [Director of Special Education]
Subject: Partnership to Support [District Name]’s SEPAG
Dear [Name],
My name is [Name], and I am a parent in [District] of a child receiving special education services. I’ve learned about the positive impact that Special Education Parent Advisory Groups (SEPAGs) have had in other districts and am eager to start one in our district. As you may know, SEPAGs are parent-driven groups where community members come together to learn about, discuss, and provide input to the school district on special education policies, programs, practices, and services.
I would appreciate your collaboration and support as we continue building on this work together.The pareent leader(s) and the district leader(s) work together to coordinate meetings and communications and ensure that the group’s efforts lead to concrete improvements for students. The responsibilities of the district leaders are not set in stone, and may change as the group develops, but generally include:
Coordinate parent outreach
• Post SEPAG information on the district website and parent portal
• Send emails to families of students receiving special education services
Assist with group operations/logistics
• Set up a district SEPAG email address for the group (e.g., sepag@[district].org)
• Support scheduling, room/virtual setup, and calendar listings
Partner with local parents
• Serve as the primary district contact for SEPAG parent leaders for check-ins
• Share relevant updates, recommendations, and other SEPAG input with district leadership
I’d love to discuss your thoughts and explore next steps together. Thank you for considering this important partnership in supporting family engagement in our district.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[Phone]
Early SEPAG Logistics
Your district leader will be able to help you as you develop your SEPAG. As the group gets started, it will be important to have a single email address for the SEPAG. This way, you can keep messages about the group separate from your other email, and future group members will be able to use the same account. At the same time, you'll want to start building community awareness of the SEPAG. Your district leader can help you make information about the group available on the school district's website. Use the below email to ask your district leader about these items.
To: [Director of Special Education]
Subject: Partnership to Launch [District Name]’s SEPAG
Dear [Name],
Thank you for agreeing to serve as our SEPAG leader. On behalf of our special education parent community, we’re excited to partner with you to launch [District Name]’s SEPAG and appreciate your support in making this a meaningful, collaborative effort. As we get started, we’re requesting your assistance with the following items, if possible:
• District email address. Create a district email address for the SEPAG (sepag@[district].org)
• District webpage. Add information about the SEPAG to the district’s special education webpages (samples attached)
Would you be available for a 15-minute call next week to discuss timing and next steps? Please let me know your availability.
With appreciation,
[Your Name/Names]
[Phone]
Promoting Your SEPAG
It's time to let others know that you've started your SEPAG group! Use the below materials (and share them with your district liaison) to send to other families in the district inviting them to attend your SEPAG kickoff meeting.
Email to District Leadership
To: Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, CST Leader (or equivalent), Principals from Different Divisions, Assistant/Vice Principals
CC: Director of Special Education
Subject: [District Name]’s SEPAG – Please Help Spread the Word
Attachments: Kickoff Meeting Promotion Flyer
Dear [All/Colleagues],
We’re pleased to introduce updates to the [District Name]’s Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) to strengthen family-school collaboration in support of students with disabilities. As you may know, SEPAGs provide a structured way for parents and caregivers to share input and partner with district leaders to improve programs and services.
Our district’s SEPAG will host around [number] meetings per year, each with dedicated time for gathering parent input and generating discussion. Meetings will use plain language, invite broad participation, and end with actionable next steps. We want families to be informed, welcomed, and encouraged to participate, whether as active members or simply by staying aware of SEPAG’s role and activities. [NAME], Director of Special Education, will continue to serve as the district SEPAG leader in partnership with our parent leaders.
We’d appreciate your support in announcing this opportunity by personally inviting [District Name] families in your buildings and networks to attend our kickoff meeting or join our mailing list. To make this easy, we’ve attached a flyer that you can share.
Thank you for helping us reach every family.
With appreciation,
[Parent Leader(s)]
[Role/Title, if applicable]
[Phone] | [SEPAG Webpage]
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The BRIDGE Initiative is funded by the NJ Department of Education Office of Special Education (Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities; Grant #26000007) through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-B; 84.027A).
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