NHDOE Educational Surrogate Parent Program

"Teams Get Results" - The Wisdom of Teams, Katzenbach and Smith, 1993

SERESC is proud to work as partners with the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHDOE) and The Parent Information Center (PIC) in the oversight and management of the Educational Surrogate Parent Program. The services of this program are made available to children and youth with educational disabilities who have no parental representation in the special education process. The emphasis of this collaborative venture is teamwork, as we strive to work together in the recruitment, training, appointment and support for educational surrogate parents.

In working with Educational Surrogate Parents, recruitment and training are key elements. The Parent Information Center works with the NHDOE and SERESC to provide the required training for educational surrogate parents. Topics for these sessions include a variety of critical topics ranging from state and federal special education regulations, communication skills, participating in the development of Individual Education and /or Family Service plans as well as an overview of various educational disabilities.

As part of the management of the Educational Surrogate Parent Program, SERESC is responsible for working with the NHDOE, school districts and PIC in the review, processing and assignment of educational surrogate parents who have completed their training. Throughout the year, SERESC and PIC work with more than 300 trained individuals who volunteer their time to act as Educational Surrogate Parents for a child between ages 3-21.

These Educational Surrogate Parents represent children in a vitally important aspect of their lives, their education. In assigning educational surrogate parents, every effort is made to match volunteers with an eligible child according to geographic location, needs of the student, and the experience and interest of the educational surrogate parent. SERESC takes great pride and pleasure in working with the NDHOE and PIC in the coordination of the Educational Surrogate Parent Program and recognizes and appreciates the collaborative teamwork to ensure the success of students and youth with educational disabilities.

For more detailed information on the various aspects of the NHDOE Educational Surrogate Parent Program, contact Jane Bergeron-Beaulieu, Coordinator of the Program at (603) 206-6800 or jbergero@seresc.net.