Date/Time
Date(s) - 09/27/2017
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Location
Federation for Children with Special Needs
Make a difference in the life of a student!
Special Education Surrogate Parents (SESPs) are volunteers that serve as appointed educational decision-makers for students in the custody of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). These children require special education supports, and because their parents are unknown or unavailable, they need someone else to step up and fill the role of a parent when it comes to obtaining school services.
In Massachusetts, children in the custody of DCF depend on SESPs to protect their legal right to a free and appropriate education. Many of these students have experienced chronic trauma throughout childhood, and thus may have social/emotional issues that impact their ability to learn and their performance in school. Once appointed, SESP volunteers have the legal authority of a parent or legal guardian to attend special education team meetings, approve or reject IEPs, and, if necessary, file a complaint or appeal. On average an SESP spends about 30-40 hours a year volunteering his/her time.
For the children in our program, an appropriate education can be a lifeline in a challenging world. SESPs can help them develop the tools they need to grow into successful adults by assisting the Team with identifying appropriate supports. Of course, the priceless feeling of helping a child in need is the greatest reward.
Join us at this free training session offered by the Federation for Children with Special Needs, where you will learn about the role of an SESP, how chronic childhood trauma can impact learning, and how to incorporate the appropriate supports into the IEP. Registration is required. Contact us at rtsc@fcsn.org or (617) 399-8342 to sign up for an orientation or to request more information about the program. You can also register online at http://fcsn.org/rtsc/events/. Visit our website for additional training opportunities near you!
