The Recruitment, Training, and Support Center for Special Education Surrogate Parents

The Recruitment, Training and Support Center [RTSC] for Special Education Surrogate Parents [SESPs] is a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs. Federal education law requires a student’s parents or guardians be included in the special education decision-making process. However, children in state custody may not have anyone to fill that role. In Massachusetts, those children depend on SESPs to protect their legal right to a free and appropriate education.

Special Education Surrogate Parents make educational decisions for students in Massachusetts whose parents are unknown or unavailable. They meet with their assigned student or observe them in the classroom, receive all progress reports and report cards and attend IEP meetings as an acting surrogate parent.

The mission of the RTSC Project at the Federation for Children with Special Needs is to ensure that every child in state custody receives the educational supports they need to succeed. We strive to meet this goal by recruiting volunteers from across the state and providing them with the training and support they need to be effective Special Education Surrogate Parents [SESPs].