2460A - SURROGATE PARENTS OF DISABLED STUDENTS

1. Determination of Students in Need of a Surrogate Parent
   
   When communication is not forthcoming from the student's parent or legal guardian (which for the purposes of this section does not include any governmental agency or entity), a written inquiry will be sent to the adult in charge of the student's place of residence, as well as to the parent or legal guardian at the last known address.
2. Criteria for the Selection of Parent Surrogates
   
   The following qualifications will be used in selecting a surrogate parent. The surrogate parent:
    
   1. shall not be the employee of any educational agency responsible for providing education to the disabled student, an agency involved in the care of the child, or a member of the State Department of Education (FLDOE);
   2. shall have no interests that conflict with the interests of the student represented;
   3. to the maximum extent possible, will match the environmental and linguistic background of the student represented;
   4. will be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
3. Terms of Appointment as a Surrogate Parent
   
   Terms of appointment are renewable at the discretion of the Superintendent or designee or shall continue in the appointed role until one (1) of the following occurs:
    
   1. The student is determined to no longer be eligible or in need of special programs, except when termination of special programs is being contested.
   2. The student achieves permanency through adoption or legal guardianship and is no longer in the custody of the department.
   3. The parent who was previously unknown becomes known, whose whereabouts were unknown is located, or who was unavailable is determined by the court to be available.
   4. The appointed surrogate no longer wishes to represent the student or is unable to represent the student.
   5. The Superintendent or designee of the school district in which the student is attending school, the Department of Education contract designee, or the court that appointed the surrogate determines that the appointed surrogate parent no longer adequately represents the student.
   6. The student moves to a geographic location that is not reasonably accessible to the appointed surrogate.
4. Recommended Caseload for Surrogate Parents
   
   A maximum caseload of four (4) students is recommended unless the students are from the same family.
5. Duties and Responsibilities of the Surrogate Parent
   
   The surrogate parent shall successfully complete any training program(s) prescribed by the FLDOE and any District-provided trainings. The surrogate parent shall represent the student in all matters relating to:
    
   1. the identification, evaluation, and educational placement of the student, and
   2. the provision of a free appropriate public education to the student.

Revised 5/28/25

© Neola 2002