Darla Nelson-Metzger knows 3 percent of 900 children statewide may not sound like much.

It’s the percentage in Douglas County of children with disabilities whose parents are unknown or whose parental rights have been terminated.

And Nelson-Metzger, education advocate coordinator for Topeka Parent Center of Families Together Inc., says while the numbers may not be high, the state is nonetheless in need of people to represent all the children in special education matters.

“We have more kids than advocates, and we’re always looking for newly trained advocates,” Nelson-Metzger said Wednesday.

Laws that affect children with disabilities change about every five years, she said.

People can serve the children through the education advocate program. The advocates serve a parental role in terms of a child’s education by helping make decisions and reviewing records and programs, Nelson-Metzger said.

The program, which was developed by the Department of Education and Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, is run by the center under a contract with the Education Department.

The long-standing contract was extended earlier this year, said Kathy Toelkes, Education Department spokeswoman.

Education advocates must be 18 or older, have knowledge and skills that ensure adequate representation of the student, attend a training session and complete an application providing three references.