A surrogate parent is an individual who represents an IDEA-eligible child or thought to be eligible child in matter relating to the identification, assessment, educational placement, and the provisions of FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education).

• No parent, as defined in 34 CFR §300.30, can be identified
• The LEA, after reasonable efforts, cannot locate a parent
• The child is a ward if the state under the laws if the State (Pennsylvania does not have a state law definition of “ward of state” so this provision does not apply in Pennsylvania)

OR

• The child is an unaccompanied homeless youth, as defined in section 725(6) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434(a)(6))

The requirements to become a surrogate parent are:

• A person of good character who is at least 18 years of age
• Possesses reasonable abilities to make decisions about a student’s educational needs
• Committed to learning about a student’s educational needs and rights in PA
• Dedicated to advocating for an appropriate education for the student
• Cannot be an employee of the CCIU
• Complete FREE PA State Police Criminal History and Child Abuse History Clearances

The responsibilities of a surrogate parent include:

• Participate in group or individual training session
• Ongoing communication, verbally or in writing, to the teacher and the student as necessary
• Attend IEP meetings (by phone, virtual or in person)
• Request IEP meetings when the student needs a change in services and approval or disapproval of the IEP
• Assert student’s rights to due process and to compliance with the IEP, when appropriate
• Contact the surrogate parent coordinator if the surrogate needs further assistance or no longer wishes to assume the educational responsibilities for the child