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Volunteer to be an OSSE Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP)
Details
Description
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Division of K-12 Systems and Supports seeks volunteers to serve as ESPs for students with disabilities. A volunteer ESP is appointed to act as the special education decision-maker for a child who does not have an adult to fill that role. ESPs participate in individualized education program (IEP) meetings, receive notice of proposed school actions, monitor academic progress, and otherwise advocate to ensure that the child’s special education needs are being met. As an ESP, you may be appointed to work with students living in group homes, foster care placements, or homeless youth.
OSSE trains all ESP volunteers on the special education process and their responsibilities as an ESP. Previous experience with special education is not required and any adult who is willing to learn about the individual needs of a student with a disability is welcome to apply to volunteer. The required time commitment is driven by student needs and varies by appointment, averaging four to six hours per month.
Volunteers are matched with students and appointed on an as-needed basis after completing OSSE training and the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) Child Protection Register (CPR) check.
To request more information on volunteering, ask questions, or register to attend an OSSE ESP training, please provide your information using the following interest form. A member of our staff will contact you directly.
For more information or questions, please email the Surrogate.Parent@dc.gov.
Location
Associated Location
5th Floor
How to Volunteer for This Opportunity
Thank you for your interest in the Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) Volunteer program. A full description of the program can be reviewed at https://osse.dc.gov/page/educational-surrogate-parent-volunteer. The volunteer application form is attached to this email and is also available on the website.
We additionally require that our volunteers complete a Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) Child Protection Register (CPR) background check. The CFSA Child Protection Register check application and Submission Instructions are attached to this email and can also be accessed at https://cfsa.dc.gov/es/publication/cpr-initial-employment-request. Please note that the application must be completed and submitted electronically.
Interested volunteers are welcome to submit the attached volunteer application to surrogate.parent@dc.gov. Once you submit the application and CFSA CPR background check, our office will send you a link to the 30-minute training session to review Educational Surrogate Parent responsibilities and basic Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) information.
I am available to schedule a call to speak with you about any questions you may have about volunteering as an Educational Surrogate Parent. Thank you again for your interest in the program and willingness to volunteer to serve the educational needs of the students of the District of Columbia. We look forward to working with you.
