KCS to Host Educational Surrogate Parents and Surrogate Parent Training

Published on October 24, 2018 at 1:21 p.m.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Community members who are interested in becoming an educational surrogate parent for a student with disabilities in either Kingsport City Schools or Sullivan County Schools, are invited to attend a training session in November. A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education states, "A surrogate parent is an individual who may represent a child with a disability in all matters related to qualifying for and receiving special education services."

Individuals qualified to serve as a surrogate parent

cannot be an employee of the school district, or other child services agency that is involved in the child’s education or care;
must have no personal or professional interest that conflicts with the child’s interests;
must be willing to submit to the school systems required background check(s);
must have the requisite knowledge and skills that ensure the child is adequately represented; and
must have received surrogate parent training.

The required 3-hour training session will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018 with a choice of two times; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 4 - 7 p.m. located in the Tennessee Room at the Administrative Support Center, 400 Clinchfield Street, third floor, downtown Kingsport. A required registration form (https://goo.gl/1oED6N) must be completed online or by contacting Linda Loggans at (423) 378.2100 to reserve your spot.

A surrogate parent is appointed whenever any of the following occur:

The parent cannot be identified;
The school district, after reasonable efforts, cannot locate the parent;
The child is an unaccompanied homeless youth; or
The child is a ward of the state.

The surrogate parent may represent a child in the areas of identification, evaluation, and education placement to ensure the child is provided a free and appropriate public education. The Tennessee Department of Education, Special Populations, offers an accessible training options through local education systems for those interested in representing students with disabilities as a surrogate parent.

For more information, contact Jacki Wolfe, director of special education, at (423) 378.2100 or [email protected].

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice and an alternative learning program; with total enrollment over 7,700 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to Inspire. Cultivate. Impact.

For more information on KCS, visit k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, read our blog, We Are KCS, download our mobile app for Apple / Android devices or call (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (Kingsport City Schools), Twitter (@KCS_District), LinkedIn (Kingsport City Schools) and check out our YouTube Channel (KPTSchools).

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Published October 24, 2018 Print