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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

  • SBOE LISTENING SESSIONS

    The State Board of Education Special Education Committee is holding meetings across the state to share your feedback on special education services. 

  • NEW VIDEO

    If you suspect a disabilities and are seeking a special education evaluation, this video is a great starting point for better understanding of IEP Eligibility .

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Michigan Alliance for Families

1 hour ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Navigating early childhood services and school transitions can feel overwhelming - but you don't have to do it alone. Families with young children are invited to join us this November for three online learning opportunities.1️⃣First, on November 9, families with a child who is exiting Early On services are invited to join us to learn more about developing a transition plan to plan for the change. Register for Tots and Transitions at tinyurl.com/ymk6f6ss2️⃣We also want to invite preschool-age families to join us again on November 19 for From Puzzled to Prepared: Present Level for Preschool. Learn the importance of the PLAAFP section of the IEP, and about sharing your insights on your child's daily routines and developmental strengths or concerns to strengthen the IEP. Register for this new presentation now at tinyurl.com/rtf76zbn3️⃣Then, on November 20, families with a child under 3 who has an IFSP, as well as parents who have concerns about their young child's development are invited to attend Early Intervention and Individualized Family Service Plans: A Closer Look. Register at tinyurl.com/3ne3jfdr🔗See our website calendar for full details, more dates www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

15 hours ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
📌Registration is open to join us on November 18 for a webinar on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. Learn about how to request a FBA that leads to the development of a BIP utilizing PBIS. Register at tinyurl.com/4erw5b98Parents need to understand the important words that impact their child's special education services. Follow this page as we help decode this alphabet soup.It may be difficult to know what causes certain behaviors to occur with children at home, school, or in the community. Some behaviors cause concerns for a child's learning, safety, or well-being, but are filling a sensory need the child is feeling at the time. A Functional Behavioral Assessment is a process to collect and study data to better understand what may be prompting the behavior which occurs and to understand the function of the behavior. Parents can request an FBA when their child's behaviors interfere with learning or when there is a placement change due to disciplinary reasons.Learn more about FBA and other special education matters on our website www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/fba/Catch the video explainer of this abbreviation on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/shorts/AyP5I9c1nKYTalk to your IEP team if your child's behavior is interfering with their learning or the learning of others or when the team cannot explain to you why these behaviors occur. IDEA requires the IEP team to support your student with Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Start by gathering data through a Functional Behavioral Assessment. That information will be used to develop a BIP Behavioral Intervention Plan to address the behavior. Reach out to your team and request an FBA and BIP when you have behavior concerns. Learn more about BIP and other special education matters on our website www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/bip/ ...

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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 (Family Center) is hosting a MiABLE 101 webinar on November 10th.Gain a better understanding of what MiABLE accounts are, who qualifies, and how they work to help individuals with disabilities save money without losing essential benefits like SSI and Medicaid.To register, use the following links: Registration for 11/10/2026 at 11:00 a.m. redcap.link/MiABLERegistration for 11/10/2026 at 4:00 p.m. redcap.link/MiABLE-PMFor questions, contact the Family Center at 800-359-3722 ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
No matter what special education topic you are looking for, we have information for you on our website.Are you wondering what other people want to know? Here are the topics most visited through the years.Explore all our topics using our A-Z list www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/all/ or findthe topic you are interested in using the search bar at the top of the page.🙂Happy learning 🙂 ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Superstitious about your next IEP meeting? Join Michigan Alliance for Families on Friday November 13 at 10AM 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 November, 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/🐈‍⬛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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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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