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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Special Education Resources

Answers about your child's special education program

Disability Information

Information about your child's disability

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

PROPOSED CHANGES TO MARSE

MDE is proposing changes to MARSE. Public hearings and public comments taking place through October 16.
NEW COMMITTEE WANTS TO HEAR FROM PARENTS

State Board Special Education Committee wants to hear from students, parents, and others. Deadline to complete the SBOE form is October 16.

EMPOWERED PARENT IEP COURSE

Registration opens October 1 for 3 week Empowered Parent IEP Course. Limited spaces available.
RESOURCES

- Important resources from Michigan Department of Education: Family Matters Fact Sheets, Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education, and Michigan.gov Special Education.

Facebook Feed

Michigan Alliance for Families

19 minutes ago

🕡 Thursday October 1 @ 6:30PMIEP: A Closer Look with Andrea BeachnauRegister at tinyurl.com/5n8s8bw3Has the new school year brought up questions about your child's special education supports and services? Join us next Thursday October 1 at 6:30PM for IEP: A Closer Look. This online workshop for parents and caregivers takes a deeper dive into the key parts of the Individualized Education Program.Get a better understanding of their IEP by taking a closer look at the core areas and how they build on each other. Learn to use the IEP process to address your concerns. If you can't join us in October, this webinar is offered once a month this 26/27 school year, scheduled at different times of day to meet the needs of parents.🖨️Share-able, print-friendly flyer available here: tinyurl.com/IEPCloserLook🖥️Register here: www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/🎃Thursday October 1 at 6:30PMtinyurl.com/5n8s8bw3🦃Friday November 13 at 10AMtinyurl.com/4avrwr6z🌲Tuesday December 15 at 12PMtinyurl.com/2j7pmuuu❄️Friday January 15 at 10AMtinyurl.com/yrdzytzu💗Thursday February 18 at 7PMtinyurl.com/mtvdxn7u🪁Tuesday March 16 at 12PMtinyurl.com/33uybs8s🌦️Monday April 12 at 12PMtinyurl.com/yrxypwnc🌼Wednesday May 12 at 10AMtinyurl.com/4pt9vh2t ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

7 hours ago

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!🔗 Parents whose children receive special education services are invited to register for the Empowered Parent IEP Course at tinyurl.com/IEPfall2026 Empowered Parent IEP Course, three Tuesdays at 11:30am starting November 3. Registrations accepted 10/1 - 10/19 (or when full)This IEP Course provides action steps to apply the information to your own child’s IEP. Together, we’ll learn how to:✔️Speak up confidently in your child’s IEP meetings✔️Understand your rights and the IEP process✔️Collaborate effectively with the school team✔️Address concerns in a productive, positive wayVisit our website calendar for additional webinar topics. www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

10 hours ago

🕙 October 1 @ 10AMPAC Best Practices: Data BasicsRegister at tinyurl.com/3yhsyt7b ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

22 hours ago

Say hello to our Parent Mentor covering the Northeast Region - Samantha Salo! Driven by a genuine passion for supporting families, she specializes in empowering parents of young children as they navigate the unique challenges of early childhood development. Living and working in Northern Michigan, Samantha possesses knowledge of local resources and a specialized understanding of the specific needs within rural communities.Samantha is proud to work for an organization that proves everyday how a small group of people can change the lives of many for the better and help create a more accessible and inclusive future.Throughout the year, get to know our team members who use their lived experience navigating special education to support families across Michigan every day. #maf20years ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

1 day ago

In 2006, our information was primarily shared on the printed page in-person or sent through the postal service. Technology is awesome! Now you can access all our information on our website. All of our webinar handouts are available online for you to view, print, and review for your convenience.Check out our calendar and register to join us www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ...

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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.