Special Education Decision Making: Role of Child Welfare Caseworker

August, 2008 This fact sheet reviews the role of child welfare caseworkers in making sure foster children with disabilities receive special education services. It reviews the educational rights of children with disabilities, the advocacy role of the parent under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), individuals who can serve as the parent decision-maker under IDEA, obligations of the school district to involve the decision-maker and to appoint a surrogate parent, and the power of judges to appoint a special education decision-maker for a foster child . . .