Programs & Services : Interagency Coordination : Vermont Educational Surrogate Parent Program

DOE Left Header DOE Right Header

PROGRAMS & SERVICES:
INTERAGENCY COORDINATION:
VERMONT EDUCATIONAL SURROGATE PARENT PROGRAM (VESPP)
(Updated 8/6/09)

OVERVIEW

The federal law Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and the Vermont state Special Education Rules and Regulations ensure that the educational rights of infants, toddlers and students are represented in the special education process. Parental involvement in planning a child’s special education program is required by both federal and state regulations. Surrogate parent volunteers fill the parental role in the special education process and represent students who are in state custody or whose parents are not known or cannot be located or unaccompanied homeless youth.

LINKS TO CURRENTLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION (Updated 8/6/09)

Changes in Regional Support for the Vermont Educational Surrogate Parent Program (VESPP) and Vermont Homeless Children & Youth Project (VHCYP) for FY 2010
VESPP and VHCYP are realigning regions along supervisory union lines for FY 2010 to better reflect support needs statewide. Use the link above to see which regional coordinator will be supporting each supervisory union. NOTE: Due to the nature of this work and in the best interests of an individual student, there will be exceptions from time-to-time. Regional coordinators will provide advice when those situations arise.

Report Card for Special Education Students in DCF Custody
The department needs assistance in support of Vermont DCF Family Services Policy 151 (Educational Issues for Children in Custody) which states: "To assist in ensuring the stability of educational services for children in DCF custody, DCF workers are now required to obtain report cards and attendance information for all children in DCF custody." The Department of Education requests that schools provide copies of the final report card for each student in custody who is either in special education or being evaluated for special education as soon as possible after the current school year. For information or questions, contact Mike Mulcahy.

Vermont Educational Surrogate Parent Program (VESPP) Brochure
This brochure provides a description of VESPP’s services and regional coordinator contact information needed to make a referral on behalf of a student who requires a surrogate parent.

Vermont State Board of Education Rules Related to Surrogate Parents
View pertinent sections of special education rule 2369.

Vermont Homeless Children and Youth Project (VHCYP) Brochure (Updated 8/6/09)
This brochure provides a description of VHCYP’s services and contacts as well as information about the McKinney-Vento Act. Regional VESPP staff also serve as VHCYP coordinators.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions or additional information, contact Mike Mulcahy, State Coordinator, at (802) 828-5108 or mike.mulcahy@state.vt.us.

Residential Review
State-Placed Students | Surrogate Parent

Interagency Coordination

PDF files require the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
To download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, click on the icon below.
View Acrobat tips and information.

Education Department | State Board | Programs | Data & Reports
Professional Development | Licensing | Laws & Regulations | Partnerships
Publications & Resources | Employment

Students & Adult Learners | Educators & Administrators | Families & Communities
What's New? | Contact Us | Directories | Site Map | Navigation | Disclaimers
Frequently "Asked For" Information | Calendar of Department-sponsored Events
Search | Home

Web comments, suggestions, or errors for correction: DOE-Webmanager@state.vt.us
General questions about education in Vermont: DOE-EdInfo@state.vt.us