| Educational Surrogate Parent Program
The Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) Program appoints trained volunteers to act as special education decision-makers for students who do not have a “parent” meeting the requirements of federal and local special education law.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., requires an adult who meets the IDEA’s definition of “parent” to make special education decisions for any child who has or is suspected of having a disability. The OSSE appoint ESPs for students who do not have a “parent” that meets the IDEA’s definition, such as when a student is living in a group home or in certain foster care placements, or when a student is a homeless youth (as defined by statute) or whose parent is otherwise unable to identified or located.
The ESP Program also educates school personnel, social workers, and other professionals who work with D.C. children about the legal requirement that children have an appropriate special education decision-maker.
To request the appointment of an ESP for an individual child, please fill out and submit the following ESP Referral Form:
Please check this page from time to time for updated contact information and other resources, including a program overview.
If you have any questions about this program, please contact us at:
Educational Surrogate Parent Program
Department of Special Education
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
51 N St. NE – 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 741-0479
Fax: (202) 741-0227, ATTN: Educational Surrogate Parent Program
surrogate.parent@dc.gov
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