Children's Attorneys Project Educational Surrogate Parent Program
Educational Surrogate Parent Program
Volunteer Opportunity for Non-Lawyers
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada provides training and support to volunteers who are willing to become Educational Surrogate Parents for children with disabilities, ensuring that their schools are meeting their disability-related needs.
General Program Information
The law requires that local school systems involve parents in decisions regarding their child’s need for special education services. However, under certain circumstances when a parent is not available to advocate for a child’s special education needs and rights, a surrogate parent is assigned to represent the child and protect the child’s special education rights. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (34 CFR § 300.519) and the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC § 388.283), a school district or a judge should assign a surrogate parent in the following cases when appropriate:
1) where the child is a ward of the state,
2) where the child’s parents are unknown,
3) where the child’s parents are unable to be located, or
4) where the child is an unaccompanied homeless youth
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada provides training and support to volunteers who are willing to become Educational Surrogate Parents for children with disabilities, ensuring that their schools are meeting their disability-related needs.
To find out more about the Educational Surrogate Parent Program or to sign up for our next volunteer training, contact us at 386-1070 ext. 170 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To view our brochure, please click here.
Educational Surrogate Parent Program Information
No experience is necessary to become an Educational Surrogate Parent. Legal Aid Center staff provides the initial training and continued training opportunities to Educational Surrogate Parents so that they will be able to effectively advocate for their assigned children. We also provide ongoing individualized support for Educational Surrogate Parents for the duration of the volunteer’s case.
See below for Frequently Asked Questions
Educational Surrogate Parent Referral Process
An agency assigning Educational Surrogate Parents is entrusted with ensuring that the Educational Surrogate Parent assignment follows federal and state requirements.
A child qualifies for an Educational Surrogate Parent when:
1) the child is a ward of the state,
2) the child’s parents are unknown,
3) the child’s parents are unable to be located, or
4) the child is an unaccompanied homeless youth
Click here to view the Educational Surrogate Parent Referral Form.
