Parent Resource Center
Have a question about transportation for students? Call the Parent Resource Center at (202) 576-5000. Operating hours for the Parent Resource Center are Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The main role of the Parent Resource Center is to serve as the primary communication link between families and schools, about transportation services to and from public schools in the District of Columbia or nonpublic placements. The Customer Service Specialists in the Parent Resource Center provide quality customer service by promptly and adequately addressing and recording student transportation matters for follow up.
Eligibility for transportation services is determined by the student’s individual education program (IEP) which is developed by the school in which the student is enrolled. Once the Division of Student Transportation receives a timely and accurate request from a child’s school for transportation services, the Parent Resource Center can provide support to that family.
Parents can access Daily DOT Updates with the following concerns:
- Bus status for the current day
- Bus delays of more than 20 minutes, either traveling to school or returning home
Parents can reach out to the Parent Resource Center during operating hours by phone with the following types of questions/concerns:
- Questions regarding your student’s transportation services (e.g. route number, pick up and drop off times)
- Issues or concerns regarding the transportation service provided
- To provide a compliment or file a complaint about transportation
Representatives of the Parent Resource Center will contact parents directly in the following cases:
- Variation in student route e.g. route changes
- Inclement weather or other emergencies causing route changes, shut down or delayed opening of school
For questions about eligibility to receive student transportation services, changing your contact or address information on file with the Division of Student Transportation, or adding/changing an authorized receiver and updating emergency contact information, please contact your child’s school directly.
Monthly Parent Stipend Program
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education Division of Transportation (OSSE-DOT) is launching the Monthly Parent Stipend Program for the 2024-25 school year. The program will provide a monthly stipend to eligible parents/guardians that choose to opt out of OSSE-DOT provided vehicle or bus service and self-transport their student to and from school daily. This also includes drop off and pick up for special services the student receives that are related to their education. Eligible families who are approved to participate will receive $400 per month to support self-transportation of students.
New Participants
Parents/guardians who are interested in participating must complete a registration form and submit the required documents to enroll in the program. Once enrollment is complete, families will receive a confirmation email that will advise of approval for participation in the program, the self-transportation start date, and when payments can be expected.
Existing Participants
Parents/guardians who previously participated in the program and wish to continue do not have to create a new application. However, they must log into their existing application, review the previously submitted information and enter any updates if needed (i.e. address change, add or remove a student, etc.) Once this is completed, parents/guardians must submit the updated application to enroll for 2024-25 school year. Parents/guardians who do not wish to continue in the program will not have to access the application but should confirm that their local education agency (LEA) has submitted a transportation request for the student.
Participation in the Monthly Parent Stipend Program is voluntary and does not impact a student’s eligibility for special education transportation services as determined by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. Parents/guardians can opt back into OSSE-DOT provided transportation at any time by contacting the LEA. It may take up to 10 calendar days to restart OSSE-provided transportation once OSSE-DOT receives the transportation request from the LEA. The parent/guardian is still responsible to transport the student until OSSE-DOT provided transportation begins.
Travel Reimbursement for Parents
In addition to providing transportation service to eligible students, OSSE will reimburse parents who transport eligible students with disabilities to and from school. Your family may qualify for reimbursement if:
- The parent or guardian has requested reimbursement and completed the required forms in advance of transporting the student (parents/guardians must receive approval from OSSE DOT prior to seeking reimbursement for the student by submitting a “Request for Self-Transport Form”); or
- If a parent or guardian transported a student due to failure on the part of OSSE to provide services.
If you meet the above qualifications and want to apply for parent reimbursement, please submit your request by following the instructions detailed in the parent provided transportation reimbursement program guidelines form below.
Parent Reimbursement Forms and Guidelines
Please complete the required forms, linked below, and submit your package using our secure BOX upload site. Allow at least 60 days to process your request.
- Parent Reimbursement - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Parent Provided Transportation Certification Form
- Parent Reimbursement Program Guidelines English | Amharic | Spanish
- Parent Reimbursement Approval Form
- W-9 | English | Spanish
- Supplier Form
Have additional questions?
- View the Parent Checklist
- Check out the Parent Resource Center FAQs