A surrogate or foster parent may be needed to represent a student with a disability during the special education process as outlined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). If a child has no parent, their parents cannot be located, or they are a ward of the state, a surrogate parent must be appointed to make educational decisions on their behalf.
To serve as a surrogate or foster parent in this role, individuals must complete a training that meets the Texas Education Agency’s requirements. Texas CASA has identified a free online training through Region 10 that fulfills these requirements.
To enroll in the training, you’ll need to create a free account on the Region 10 website. When prompted to select your organization, choose “Other” from the Organization drop-down menu and “Other Org” in the Campus drop-down menu.
For a step-by-step guide on how to register and enroll, click here.
You may also contact your local school district to inquire about an in-person training option.
