Heather DiFede

Heather DiFede is executive director of the East County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) within the San Diego County Office of Education. She is also coexecutive director of High Quality IEPs and a member of California’s IEP Expert Panel. She administers the IEP Technical Support and Assistance Grant awarded by the California Department of Education and oversees special education programs across 11 local educational agencies. DiFede has led collaborative initiatives with the San Diego Regional Center, including the development of Individualized Family Service Plan forms, revisions to interagency agreements, and countywide joint trainings with local educational agencies. She has also served on the San Diego Part C Interagency Leadership Committee, including several years as chair. 

updated 2025