Volunteers, known as Special Education Surrogate Parents (SESPs), serve as appointed educational special decision-makers for students in  the custody of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). SESP volunteers have the legal authority of a parent or legal guardian to attend special education team meetings, approve or reject IEPs, and, if necessary, file a complaint or appeal. SESPs spend about 30-40 hours a year volunteering their time.

In this Orientation Training, you will learn about the role of a SESP, how traumatic experiences can impact learning, and how to incorporate the appropriate supports into the IEP.