Parent Surrogate

  • Recognizing our Amazing Surrogates

    Brenda Gerhardt and Rush Rogers were recognized for their volunteerism, which has helped ensure students in foster care receive the support they need.  See the article to read about their contribution.  

    Recognizing our Parent Surrogates

Who are Parent Surrogates?

  • Parent surrogates are individuals trained by the state to represent a Prek-12th grade foster care student at an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Evaluation Team Report (ETR) meeting and ensure that the best interest of the child is being served within the school setting.  Individuals who receive the training learn the appropriate procedures for special education evaluations and understand how the student's special education goals should be implemented and monitored.          

    Columbus City Schools (CCS) is always looking for volunteers to be parent surrogates for CCS students.  The Ohio Department of Education facilitates parent surrogate trainings through online training modules to allow individuals to conveniently receive up-to-date information on special education laws, policies, and procedures.  For more information on how to become be a certified parent surrogate go to https://ohiosurrogateparent.org/  

    Once you have completed your parent surrogate training then contact John Cook, School Psychologist Supervisor, at jcook1324@columbus.k12.oh.us to indicate you would like to be a parent surrogate volunteer for Columbus City Schools.

Surrogate Volunteers & CCS

  • Below are the number of yearly parent surrogate requests that are received by our offices.  

    Surrogate Requests per School Year

    CCS currently has 39 active parent surrogate volunteers.  These volunteers ensure that students are supported and requests for surrogates are quickly fulfilled. 

     

     

Parent Surrogate Training

  • The Ohio Department of Education has recorded modules with up-to-date information regarding Ohio policies, procedures, and special education law. 

    Go to https://ohiosurrogateparent.org/  for additional information on completing the online training to become a certified parent surrogate.

     

     

What Do Surrogate Parents Do?

  • A recorded 30-minute information session was created to provide insight into the role of parent surrogates and how they help students in foster care.  Click the image below to watch the video.  

    Parent Surrogate Information Session

Requesting a Parent Surrogate

  • CCS staff can request a parent surrogate by completing the parent surrogate request form.  Click the Surrogate Request Form link below to download a copy.  Email the completed request form to surrogate@columbus.k12.oh.us  

    Surrogate Request Form