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The San Francisco Unified School District is actively recruiting volunteers to make a difference in the education of special needs children.
• Surrogate parents are appointed by SFUSD to
act in place of a parent to participate in
making special education decisions for a
child.
•The surrogate parent is appointed when no
parent can be located or when juvenile court
has specifically limited the right of a parent
or guardian to make educational decisions.
• SFUSD provides training to volunteers to
help them represent exceptional needs
children.
Download this application and return it to:
Surrogate Parents
Special Education Services
750 25th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94121
FAX 415-750-8690
You can also email it to:
Carol Kocivar at KocivarC@sfusd.edu
Call 379-7642 for more information and or to arrange for training for your group. Ask for "Surrogate Parent" information.
Surrogate Parent Information
School districts must ensure that an individual is assigned to
act as a surrogate parent for the parents of a child with a disability
when a parent cannot be identified and the school district cannot
discover the whereabouts of a parent.
A surrogate parent may also be appointed if the child is an unaccompanied
homeless youth, an adjudicated dependent or ward of the court under
the state Welfare and Institutions Code, and is referred
to special education or already has an IEP.
The surrogate parent’s role is to ensure that a child is
receiving the special education services for which he or she is
eligible.
A surrogate parent has the same rights regarding educational decisions
for a special education student as the parent.
Parent Rights
Summary
of Parent Rights Notice
of Procedural Safeguards
Your
First IEP Meeting The
Parent Guide to Special Education
Surrogate Parents in California Special Education
This manual provides information to local education agencies (LEAs), Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs), parents and family centers, and volunteers who are willing to serve as surrogates on when and how a surrogate parent may be appointed.
Identifying Special Education Decision Makers
for Children in Foster Care
RESPONSIBILITIES OF SURROGATE PARENTS
•Participate in
surrogate parent training.
•Represent the student with
disabilities in all education decision-making.
•Become acquainted with the
student’s educational history and current program.
•Approve or disapprove the
IEP.
•Be an active participant in
the development and monitoring of the student’s Individualized
Education Program.
•Be familiar with special education
programs pertaining to the student.
Getting Started:
Meet The Child
Become acquainted with the eligible child, including his/her disability,
his/her early intervention records and needs, and his/her cultural
and language background.
The surrogate parent is required to meet with the child at least
one time. He or she may also meet with the child on additional
occasions.
Represent The Child At Meetings
Represent the child in all IEP meetings, and other meetings relating
to the identification, evaluation, and placement services for the
child.
Ensure Confidentiality
Ensure the confidentiality of information and records concerning
the child.
Be able to make sufficient time available to carry out the duties
of a surrogate parent.
Participate in Trainings
Have sufficient knowledge and skills to execute these responsibilities
and to seek additional consultation and training as needed.
Maintain Records
Maintain a file containing the child's records and a record of
your activity as the surrogate parent. You will forward the file
upon termination of your appointment as surrogate parent to the
local education agency's special education office.
Conflicts of Interest
Notify the local special education office whenever you have reason
to believe that a conflict of interest exists with respect to your
appointment.
Review the Surrogate Parent Training materials provided by the
local education agency office.
Resignation
The surrogate parent may resign from his or her appointment only
after he or she gives notice to the local educational agency.
Termination
The local educational agency shall terminate the appointment of
a surrogate parent if (1) the person is not properly performing
the duties of a surrogate parent or (2) the person has an interest
that conflicts with interests of the child entrusted to his or
her care.
The surrogate parent may represent the child until (1) the child
is no longer in need of special education, (2) the minor reaches
18 years of age, unless the child chooses not to make educational
decisions for himself or herself, or is deemed by a court to be
incompetent, (3) another responsible adult is appointed to make
educational decisions for the minor, or (4) the right of the
parent or guardian to make educational decisions for the minor
is fully restored.
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