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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

5 hours ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
🤣No joke! Our calendar is full of learning opportunities. ☔⛅Register today to join us online in April, rain or shine!April 6 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with Stephanie Nicholls from 6:30pm–8:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/m8a2fpbp April 8 Parent Advisory Committee: Best Practices with Stephanie Nicholls from 4:30pm–5:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/PACspring2026 May 5 Empowered Parent IEP Course - three Tuesdays from 9:30am–11:30am. Registration open 4/8 to 4/20 (or when full).April 9 Transition: What You Need to Know with Karen Wang from 5:30pm–7:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/227786t7 April 13 Understanding Personal Curriculum and Graduation with Rashell Bowerman, Michigan Department of Education from 11:00am–1:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/9d394r9c May 14 Youth Self-Determination Course - four Thursdays from 5:30pm–6:30pm. Registration open 4/13 to 5/12 (or when full).April 14 IEP: A Closer Look with Andrea Beachnau from 12:00pm–1:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/bdfm9s6u April 16 Collaborating on Transition with Karen Wang from 5:30pm–7:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/msurn96v April 17 Behavior is Communication (Part 1) with Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle, Ed.D from 1:00pm–2:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/2by7bcpx April 22 Supporting Student Mental Health with ACMH from 4:30pm–6:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/2h9ymupd April 23 Transition: Employment Expectations with Karen Wang from 5:30pm–7:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/3nh3uttu April 24 Behavior is Communication (Part 2) with Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle, Ed.D from 1:00pm–2:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/2by7bcpx April 30 Transition: Beyond IDEA with Karen Wang from 5:30pm–7:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/yc7mkwp2 🔗Visit our website calendar for full details www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

1 day ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs is offering a free webinar. Learning Connections Planning for the Future: The Essentials of Special Health Care Needs Planning is offered twice on April 15, 2026.Basic estate planning isn't enough when your child has additional needs. It is important to preserve government benefits, ensure quality of care, and have the right people to step in when you can't. Join attorney Sarah Fitzpatrick as she presents information on wills, trusts, and guardianship for families of children with special health care need.Two times are available to accommodate family schedules.🕙10AM session redcap.link/Future-AM 🕖7PM session redcap.link/Future-PMQuestions should be directed to CSHCS Family Phone line at 800-359-3711. ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Dealing with discipline issues?Is your child being sent home from school or removed from the classroom?Has your teen been suspended from school?Join us next Monday, April 6 at 6:30PM for a webinar on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. Register at tinyurl.com/m8a2fpbpWhen challenging behavior interferes with the learning process, it has to be addressed. Special education law allows for a Functional Behavior Assessment to determine why the behavior is happening. This evaluation data is used to develop a Behavior Intervention Plan. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports are the proactive, positive tools to teach and support positive behavior skills.Then come back on April 17 & 24 at 1PM for Behavior is Communication with Sally Burton-Hoyle. Register now at tinyurl.com/2by7bcpx All behavior is communication. We know that individuals with disabilities who exhibit unacceptable behavior do so for a specific reason. Every behavior serves a function for the person. The behavior we see, is just the tip of the iceberg. When we understand the function of the behavior, we can teach an alternative appropriate behavior to meet that need.This two-part virtual workshop that can help you determine what they are saying with their behavior and how to substitute a more acceptable way to communicate that message.🔗See our full calendar at www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

3 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
To prepare for the online Parent Advisory Committee workshop offered in April, we invite you to watch this video. Learn more about the important role of PACs, as well as responsibilities and opportunities for your PAC. ... See MoreSee Less

PAC Roles and Responsibilities

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The Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education requires all Intermediate School District boards to appoint a Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). Loca...

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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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