Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Educational Surrogate Parent Program (SPP)

Would you like to make a difference in the life of a child with disability?
Volunteer Educational Surrogate Parents are urgently needed. Children with disabilities have a right to be represented by a parent in the special education process. Surrogate Parents represent the educational needs of children with disabilities who are wards of the state, or whose parents are unknown or cannot be located. The sole responsibility of the Surrogate Parent is to represent the assigned child in making special education decisions. Surrogate parents are not responsible for any financial costs or direct care of the child.

Who is eligible to become a Surrogate Parent?

• Individuals willing to be an effective advocate for an assigned child
• Individuals who believe that children with disabilities are entitled to appropriate educational experiences and services
• Individuals who are at least 21 years of age and a resident of New Hampshire
• Individuals may not have any conflict of interest in representing a child
• Individuals able to devote sufficient time

Volunteers do not need a degree or professional background

What is the role of the Surrogate Parent?
Surrogate parents have the same rights in the special education process as parents or legal guardians. They:

• Learn about a child’s needs through meeting with or observing the child, talking with caregivers, teachers and other professionals
• Review the child’s educational records
• Request appropriate evaluations for the child, when needed
• Provide written consent for evaluation and Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP, for infants & toddlers), and educational placement of the child
• Actively participate in team meetings, to develop and monitor the child’s IEP or IFSP
• Comply with confidentiality requirements
• Resolve disagreements utilizing the least adversarial approach and appropriate procedural safeguards

How will I benefit from the program?
Parents of children with disabilities have found the training and experience helpful in advocating for their own children. Educators and other professionals have had the opportunity to experience the parent perspective of the special education process. Surrogate Parents have reported that they have a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in their ability to help children with disabilities.

How do I become a Surrogate Parent?

• Successfully complete the application process and complete a free 9-hour training program (a resource manual is provided)
• Complete an additional 3 hours of training if interested in representing an infant or toddler (optional)
  

If you would like to become a Surrogate Parent just complete the following application and then hit the Submit Form button at the bottom of the application.

Surrogate Parent Application

Your Name:
Street Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Telephone (Home):
Telephone (Work):
Telephone (Other):
E-Mail Address:
Date of Birth:
Citizen of US?	Yes No
Other Languages:
Reason for Applying:
Occupation:
Responsibilities:
Employer's Name:
Employer's Street Address:
Employer's City:
Employer's State:
Employer's Zip:
Are you a foster parent?	Yes No
Do you have child(ren) with disabilities?	Yes No
	If yes, please describe the disability(s):

If you have any experiences with children or youth, including special interests, organizations, affiliations, please describe:

Please describe any experiences you have with students with disabilities or educational systems which will assist you as an educational surrogate parent:

Please describe why you would like to be a surrogate parent:

Please indicate all possible times you would be available to attend training:

Weekdays: daytime evenings
All day Staurday: Any days(s) you could not attend:

Please list four references (other than relatives). Include complete addresses, as your application cannot be processed without them.

First Reference

Name:
Relationship:
Street Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Telephone:
E-Mail Address:

Second Reference

Name:
Relationship:
Street Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Telephone:
E-Mail Address:

Third Reference

Name:
Relationship:
Street Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Telephone:
E-Mail Address:

Fourth Reference

Name:
Relationship:
Street Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Telephone:
E-Mail Address:

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