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NPS Surrogate Parents Information

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) gives parents the right to be involved in their child's education and act as their advocate. When a child's parent or family is unavailable, a surrogate parent is appointed to fulfill this role. A surrogate parent can be appointed when a child is a ward of the state, an unaccompanied homeless youth, or has a parent who has requested in writing that a surrogate be appointed. In certain cases, a foster parent may also assume the role of the parent, making a surrogate parent unnecessary. 

Surrogate parents play a vital role in the lives of children with disabilities. Like biological parents, they are granted significant decision-making authority and are involved at every stage of the special education process. Without a parent present, a child may face barriers to appropriate identification, evaluation, placement, and access to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). 

 

Key Responsibilities

Skills

  • Empathy and understanding of diverse student backgrounds and needs. 
  • Strong organizational and advocacy skills. 
  • Ability to build rapport with students and staff. 

Surrogate Parents for Norfolk Public Schools will be provided an opportunity to receive annual training specific to students with disabilities facilitated by the NPS Parent Resource Center Educator.

If you are interested in becoming a surrogate parent for Norfolk Public Schools, please review the volunteer information found here and complete a volunteer application. If you have any questions about the volunteer application process, please contact the Communications & Community Engagement office at (757) 628-3459. 

To request a surrogate parent for a Norfolk Public School’s student, please complete the Surrogate Request Form

Please reach out to the Parent Resource Center (PRC) Educator regarding training opportunities.

Kamil Donawa 
PRC Educator 
parentresourcecenter@nps.k12.va.us