The federal law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA), and the State Board of Education Rules for Special Education 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. A Vermont Educational Surrogate Parent Program (VESPP) volunteer fills the parental role in the special education process and represents students who are in state custody or whose parents are not known or cannot be located or unaccompanied homeless youth.
Regions
Contact the Department of Children and Families, Family Services Division. District offices are open during regular business hours — 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Intake Form
Department of Children and Families (DCF) uses an intake form when a student is in the custody of the DCF and is eligible for special education (or in need of a special education evaluation) for children and youth ages birth-21. The form is most often completed by DCF social workers and submitted to the AOE. Staff from Children's Integrated Services (CIS) and school district/supervisory union staff may also complete this form. To SUBMIT an intake form, fill out the appropriate form below and email to AOE.SpecialEd@vermont.gov.
Vermont Educational Surrogate Parent Program Intake Form – Ages Birth to 3
Vermont Educational Surrogate Parent Program Intake Form – Ages 3 through 21