Surrogate Parents

Ensuring Every Child Has an Advocate

Every child deserves someone to help ensure they receive the educational services and supports they need to succeed.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) recognizes the important role parents play in making decisions about their child's special education program. Parents are active partners throughout the special education process, including participating in evaluations, developing the Individualized Education Program (IEP), monitoring progress, and making educational decisions.

When a parent or legal guardian is unavailable or unable to fulfill this role, IDEA allows for the appointment of a Surrogate Parent to represent the educational interests of the child.

A surrogate parent may be appointed when:

• A child's parent or guardian cannot be identified or located.
• A child is a ward of the state.
• A child is an unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness.
• A parent requests in writing that a surrogate parent be appointed.
• In some situations, a foster parent may serve as the child's educational parent, eliminating the need for a surrogate appointment.

Surrogate parents play a vital role in ensuring children with disabilities have access to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and receive the services and supports they are entitled to under federal law.

What Does a Surrogate Parent Do?

A surrogate parent represents the child's educational interests throughout the special education process. Responsibilities include:

• Participating in decisions about whether a child should be evaluated for special education services
• Helping determine the child's educational needs through the evaluation process
• Participating as a member of the IEP Team to develop and review the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Monitoring the student's educational progress and participating in annual reviews
• Supporting informed decisions regarding special education services, placement, and educational programming
• Agreeing or disagreeing with proposed special education decisions when appropriate

Surrogate parents receive training and support to help them understand special education law, advocate effectively for students, and collaborate with school teams.

Become a Surrogate Parent

MOISD is always looking for compassionate, committed community members who are interested in serving as surrogate parents for students with disabilities who need an educational advocate.

Serving as a surrogate parent is a meaningful opportunity to make a lasting difference in the life of a child by ensuring their educational rights are protected and their voice is represented throughout the special education process.

To learn more about Michigan's Surrogate Parent Program, visit the Michigan Alliance for Families website:
www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/surrogate-parent

Interested in Serving?

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Surrogate Parent for a student served by Mecosta-Osceola ISD, we'd love to hear from you.

Jodi LaFeldt
Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Services
specialeducation@moisd.org
231-796-3543