Families of Hillsboro students with disabilities have two chances to connect with district special education staff and other parents the week of Oct. 15.

The Hillsboro School District's Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is hosting a Student Services New Family Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at South Meadows Middle School. The meeting is geared toward families new to the district's special education process, including those navigating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans for the first time.

Two days later, the committee holds a Coffee & Connections session at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Insomnia Coffee's Tanasbourne location, 9355 NE Windsor St. The informal gathering pairs families with SEAC members for conversation over coffee.

The SEAC advises the district on special education services for students from elementary school through transition programs. It collaborates with district staff, families and community organizations to share information and advocate for students with disabilities.

The Saturday session is one of only two Coffee & Connections dates on the SEAC's 2026-27 calendar.

The next one is not until May.

The committee opened its current school year with a virtual meeting via Zoom on Sept. 3 and followed up with an Oct. 1 session on understanding the IEP evaluation process, led by speaker Wendy Ramos.

Looking ahead, the SEAC calendar lists an IEP Workshop in collaboration with FACT Oregon on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 5:30 p.m. The location has not been announced. A Coffee & Cookies session with the district's administrative team is set for Thursday, Jan. 21, 2027, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hillsboro School District main office, and a Disability Resource Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17, 2027, at 3 p.m. at the same location.

Student Services Executive Director Elaine Fox is the district's point of contact for families interested in the committee. Families can reach Fox at [email protected] or email the SEAC directly at [email protected]. Translation services are available for meetings with speakers if requested at least two weeks in advance.