Question

What if a special needs child's parents cannot be found?

Answer

The school district must appoint a "stand-in" parent.

Sometimes a school district is unable to identify or discover the whereabouts of parents whose child may need special education services. Also, at times, a child may have been made a ward of the state through legal means.

In such cases, the school district will appoint a surrogate or "stand-in" parent. This appointed individual will then, in the absence of parents, represent the child.

The district can then deal with this surrogate parent in matters dealing with the identification, evaluation and educational placement of the child, and the provision of a free, appropriate public education for that child.

When appointing such an individual, the school district will make sure that the person has no interests that conflict with the best interest of the child. An individual will be chosen who has the knowledge and skills to adequately represent the child. Such an individual will not be an employee of the school district or agency that is involved with the care of the child. The surrogate parent may represent the child in all matters related to identification, evaluation, educational services and the provision of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).

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