Colleges/Universities Partnership Program

RTSC’s role: 

• Identify a college/university contact person to provide initial and ongoing guidance for their student recruitment efforts 

• Provide brochures and other recruitment materials and share successful strategies for volunteer recruitment 

• Process applications and notarize CORI/SORI Forms for volunteers 

• Provide required Orientation training for interested students 

• Offer ongoing support through follow-up calls, support groups, and access to FCSN’s online learning platform and other resources to student SESPs 

• Coordinate with college/university contact person to track student progress and engagement 

College/University’s role: 

• Identify a faculty or staff member to serve as primary SESP recruitment contact (note: once the school has at least one student who has become an SESP, they can serve as the primary SESP recruitment contact) 

• Actively recruit amongst student body to become SESPs. Strategies may include posting information on the school’s website, sending email announcements to potentially interested students, creating visibility for the volunteer role by displaying brochures and flyers provided by RTSC on school grounds (campus announcement boards, student affairs offices, dorm hallways, etc.), participating in on-campus resource and career fairs 

• Direct volunteers to RTSC website for SESP applications, Orientation Training options, contact information for RTSC support 

• Share updates with RTSC regarding student engagement and outreach efforts (events, materials distributed, etc.) 

• Request assistance and guidance form RTSC as necessary 

To become and SESP, volunteers must meet certain eligibility requirements, including the following:

• At least 18 years old
• Not employed by an agency involved in the care or education of the student they will be serving. For example, an SESP may not be appointed to work with a student within the same school district where they work, or the same district where their own child(ren) attend(s) school.
• Have no interest that might conflict with the interests of the student
• Must have, or be willing to obtain, adequate knowledge in special education and the Individualized Education Program process

Once they are approved to serve as an SESP, they must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of the Orientation Training and SESP Application
• Completion of a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Form
• Agree to promote the best interest of the student in special education matters
• Agree to respect the confidentiality of all records and information related to the student
• Commit to accessing ongoing assistance and guidance from the RTSC via phone calls, virtual meetings, webinars, and newsletters

RTSC conducts regular trainings virtually. Interested volunteers can attend any of the trainings as advertised on the FCSN calendar. RTSC staff can also present Orientation Training for your specific college/university (for groups of three or more recruited student volunteers). 

Student SESPs will have access to a range of supports, including: 

• Monthly newsletter, virtual support groups and Networking series 

• Individual calls with an RTSC support specialist 

• Live and recorded webinars on special education and related topics 

• Opportunities to connect with other advocacy leaders connected with FCSN 

• Free tickets to FCSN’s annual Visions of Community conference 

• Opportunity to develop a capstone project under the guidance of RTSC leadership and staff