Surrogate Parents

Are you looking for a way to get involved and make a real difference?

The Cheatham County School District is seeking community members who are able to represent the educational interests of students with disabilities.

Some students with disabilities may not have parents who can fulfill this very important role, leaving their educational planning solely to representatives from their local school system or other agencies.

Therefore, a surrogate parent is a volunteer who is appointed by a local education agency to assist children who do not have parents or family members who can be their advocate.

The surrogate parent has all of the rights and can make all of the special education or early intervention decisions that are usually made by the child’s parents.

Surrogate parents can review educational records; request and consent to evaluations and reevaluations; and challenge the recommendations of the education or early intervention agency by requesting informal and formal dispute resolution procedures.

A surrogate parent does not have any rights and responsibilities for the child outside of the special education process.

A mandatory training is required to become a surrogate parent. If you are interested in volunteering, please click here to fill out an interest form.

For additional information, please email Katlyn Owen at [email protected] or call 615-746-1420.