A new program to help foster children with special needs in the Clark County School District is looking for surrogate parents. The Surrogate Parent Initiative will pair foster children with volunteer parents who will serve as education advocates for the students during school meetings, and for other student/teacher issues. The program is sponsored by Clark County Legal Services.
The Surrogate Parent Initiative will launch Jan. 26 with an informational meeting and lunch from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Clark County Legal Services, 800 S. Eighth St.
Surrogate training is necessary, but it is flexible and can be done on an individual basis.
There are hundreds of foster children with special needs in the Clark County School District without a parent or guardian, according to Laurie Richardson, a child advocate who works for Clark County Legal Services and is developing the Surrogate Parent Initiative.
"Many of these children face educational challenges stemming from their tumultuous past or a special need that affects their ability to learn in school," Richardson said. "With a surrogate parent, these children will have their own advocate to help them resolve their education-related issues in a positive way, and get the most out of their school experience. It's a win-win situation for everyone."
Richardson and Daniel Ebihara, lead attorney for special education at Clark County Legal Services, will teach volunteers about advocacy skills, Clark County School District procedures and its Individualized Education Program (IEP), as well as the laws governing special education and use of the laws to support students in the district.
Additionally, Richardson will teach how to support foster children with special education needs, such as learning and physical disabilities and behavioral issues.
Upon completion of the classes, each surrogate parent will be assigned one child.
Richardson estimates the volunteer's time commitment could be up to 10 hours per school year.
"This program provides a great way for people to support our community and make a positive change in a child's life," she said.
Richardson has been working with Clark County Legal Services since 2003, representing families of special needs children and foster children in the school district. She provides training to families, social workers and schools on special education law and assists parents in resolving educational conflicts.
A former foster parent and mother of seven -- including four adopted foster children, one with special needs -- Richardson has 30 years of experience with foster children, special education and the Clark County School District, where she has served as a parent mentor and independent advocate for children. In April 2006, Richardson was named National Mother of the Year by American Mothers Inc., a national interfaith, nonpolitical, nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., which sponsors Mother's Day.
To attend the lunch, or for additional information, call 386-1070, ext. 124, or visit www.laurierichardsonchildadvocate.com.
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