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    Michigan Alliance for Families:

    Your free guide to special education.

    Michigan Alliance for Families provides information, support, and education for families who have children and young adults (birth to 26 years of age) who receive (or may be eligible to receive) special education services. This website can help you with finding information on special education issues as well as disability specific information.

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Special Education Resources

Answers about your child's special education program

Disability Information

Information about your child's disability

Support

Hear from one of our Parent Mentors

Upcoming Events

Find an online workshop or view a recording

Need help navigating the special education system? Talk to a parent who's been there.

Connect directly with one of our local parent mentors to address your family's needs. Their perspective can not only help you navigate the system, but they can also help you be more involved in your child's education. All Michigan families are able to access an extensive collection of electronic or printed resources, informational support and referrals to local community resources. To get in touch with a Michigan Alliance for Families staff member,  Contact Us.

News & Updates

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Michigan Alliance for Families

7 hours ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Data connects parents to state accountability tools, giving them insight into how special education functions locally and statewide. By accessing dashboards, performance reports, and compliance tracking, communities can evaluate what is working well and identify areas that need improvement. Join Julie Trevino and Amanda Way from the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education, Performance Reporting Unit for Data for Understanding to explore:Federal reporting requirementsState Performance Plan (SPP)MI School Data – Public Reporting of Indicators 1-14MI School Data – Data PortraitsThis webinar is offered multiple times this upcoming school year. October 8 @ 10AM. Register at tinyurl.com/23d63p6aFebruary 1 @ 1PM. Register at tinyurl.com/4mndcd3h May 4 @ 12PM. Register at tinyurl.com/348n4tep See our full calendar at www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

1 day ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Federal law (IDEA) provides the foundation, but Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education provides the Michigan specifics. It covers the 'who, when, and how' of special education. Understanding MARSE is key to navigating your child’s special education. The Rules are the nuts and bolts of how special education is done in Michigan, outlining everything from specific eligibility categories to student-teacher ratios to explaining options for disagreeing with the school.Parents need to understand the important words that impact their child's special education services. Follow this page as we help decode this alphabet soup.Learn more about MARSE on our website ➡️www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/law/View this video definition (and others!) on our YouTube channel youtube.com/shorts/tqlmZmgQWcQ ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Back-to-school season for families with infants and toddlers can also be a time of new routines! Whether an older sibling is heading back to school, your child is starting childcare, or your family's daily schedule is changing, these everyday moments create wonderful opportunities for learning. Early On is designed to support your child within the routines and places that are already part of your family's life, because that's where children learn best!As your child grows, their natural environments may change, too. A child who once spent most of their day at home may now be exploring childcare, library story time, playgrounds, or other community activities. These everyday settings provide meaningful opportunities to build communication, social-emotional, motor, cognitive, and self-help skills while participating in real-life experiences.Your child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) should reflect these routines and priorities, ensuring that supports fit naturally into your family's everyday life. Learn more on our website: www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/natural-environment/ ...

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IDEAs that Work

Funding Statement

Michigan Alliance for Families is a Michigan Department of Education IDEA Grant Funded Initiative. Michigan Alliance for Families is our state's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, H328M200015. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Anna Macedonia.

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