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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

4 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Current and prospective Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) members are invited to join us an online meeting to connect with members across the state, and share ideas and best practices.PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEES: CHOOSING TOPICSTHURSDAY, MAY 15, 2025 @ 4:30PMAs the school year wraps up PAC leadership starts to think about agendas for next year. We will explore:• topics to consider• defining priorities• methods to get member feedback on interest areasPlease come ready to share your experience and knowledge. Register at tinyurl.com/j8p2f9xt ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

5 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Our Tuesday Tech webinars continue this week when Michigan Disability Rights Coalition joins us for Intro to Augmentative & Alternative Communication & Resources at 12pm. Register at tinyurl.com/sakn2378Students who have difficulty expressing themselves may require an alternative way to communicate. Communication systems, strategies, and tools that replace or supplement natural speech are known as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).• what is AAC and when AAC should be considered• how to find the right AAC• philosophies to considerThe tech talk continues April 22 Supporting Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)@Home with Alt+Shift at 12pm. Register at tinyurl.com/39msvks5Many have questions about how to use AAC at home and how to best support growing their AAC user's communication skills. This online session will cover:• Strategies for incorporating AAC tools into daily routines• Training skills to support AAC as a communication partner• Advice from other parents AAC users on supporting AAC at homeFor full details and more webinar topics, visit the calendar page on our website at www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

5 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Early On is a system of services that provides intervention for children that are birth to three who have developmental delays or established medical conditions. It is a partnership between service providers and families to work on a child's development.👀 Watch the full five minute video explainer "What is Early On" at youtu.be/xG1mFpWzsMI✨ This video is part of a 6-video series about called "Making the Most of Early On". Throughout these videos we include what families say, what the law says and what research says. Find the YouTube playlist at tinyurl.com/MakingMostEarlyOn 🤔Concerned about your baby's development? Contact Early On Michigan☎️1-800-Early-On or 1800earlyon.org/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

6 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Monday, April 14 at 9:30amTransition Beyond IDEARegister at tinyurl.com/2shx45szAn overview of community resources to assist with the transition from school to adult life.🌱 The first day of spring—a season of growth and new beginnings! Just like nature transitions, youth experience their own transition into adulthood.As youth with disabilities move through school, we need to think about what comes next. This is called post-secondary transition planning. Transition is the individualized action plan that addresses the skills, programs, and opportunities needed for the student to be successful after their school career ends.Families with middle and high school students with an IEP are invited to join us for these online transition workshops coming up in April and May🌱 Monday, April 7 at 9:30am - Transition: What You Need to Know. Register at tinyurl.com/yfyumjeh🌱 Monday, April 14 at 9:30am - Transition Beyond IDEA. Register at tinyurl.com/2shx45sz🌱 Wednesday, May 7 at 4:30pm Collaborating on Transition. Register at tinyurl.com/uzycn4z5Visit our calendar of events for full details and easy registration. www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

6 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Register to join us this Wednesay to take A Closer Look at the IFSP.Families with a child under 3 with an IFSP and parents who have concerns about their young child's development are invited to register today to join us for these upcoming webinars.April 16 IFSP: A Closer Look at 12pm. Register at tinyurl.com/37fzcs88The Individualized Family Service Plan includes your child’s current level of development, and explains what kind of services will be provided, who will provide them, how often and where. This webinar can help you • prioritize your greatest concerns• learn how to address those concerns• improve your ability to have productive conversations May 14 Preschool with an IEP at 12pm. Register at tinyurl.com/5n8h9t5bLearn more about preschool options for students with an IEP and how special education supports and services work for preschoolers.This workshop will give parents a better understanding of the different preschool options available, rights and protections, LRE and the benefits of inclusion.May 21 Moving On from Early On at 4:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/2ymxthtxThe Individual Family Service Plan includes developing a transition plan to make the change from Early On to something else.This workshop explores the five things you need to consider as your child approaches the end of their Early On services.• Inclusive high-quality early childhood programs• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)• Timelines• Transition Planning & Conference• Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)For full details and easy registration, visit our website calendar at www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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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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