The Recruitment, Training and Support Center (RTSC) for Special Education Surrogate Parents (SESPs) is a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, a nonprofit organization. RTSC recruits volunteers from across the state and provides them with the training to be effective educational decision makers for eligible children in the care or custody of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) who do not otherwise have parental representation in the special education process. The Program currently serves approximately 880 students in school districts throughout the state of Massachusetts.
RTSC has expanded our recruitment efforts by providing Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) with the guidance, tools, and supports needed to initiate recruitment programs within their school districts as recommended in the February 11, 2014, memorandum from the State Director of Special Education. By partnering in recruitment efforts, we hope to identify community volunteers who have already established a good working relationship with school personnel, are familiar with local educational resources, and are able to be appointed promptly to eligible students in their district. This package of materials provides an overview of our LEA Recruitment Program.
RTSC also provides Development Childhood Trauma and Learning trainings for school professionals and others. Participants come away with a deeper understanding of the neurological impact of trauma, and its impact on learning and challenging classroom behaviors. As part of our recruitment efforts, an initial full day Developmental Trauma and Learning workshop is provided as professional development for educational professionals through their participating Collaborative agency at no cost. Three hour trauma trainings will be discounted for each school agreeing to actively participate in recruiting volunteers.
Please feel free to contact us for further information about our LEA Recruitment Program, Complex Trauma and Learning workshops, and other training and support services we offer.
Revised April 20, 2017
