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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

9 hours ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
🕛 Wednesday January 7 at 12PM Special Education Evaluation and Eligibility with Michelle Driscoll. Register at tinyurl.com/3cu68msnIf you know someone who has concerns about their child's progress at school but doesn't yet have an IEP, please share this post with them.Evaluation is the first step in the special education process. Register today to join us online in the new year to discuss special education evaluation and eligibility. We'll cover when and why a parent might seek an evaluation for their child, and how the process works.SPECIAL EDUCATION EVALUATION AND ELIGIBILITYThis free, online workshop will explain when and why a parent might seek an evaluation.• how to request a comprehensive evaluation• understand the purpose of the evaluation process• explain eligibility category criteria• review of timelinesWe’ll cover important terms parents need to know, like REED, Notice, and IEE, as well as parent’s rights during the evaluation process.Register at tinyurl.com/3cu68msnSee our 2026 calendar of events at www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

1 day ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Families with a child under 3 who has an IFSP, as well as parents who have concerns about their young child's development can join a new webinar on February 5.This workshop will help you:• take a more in depth look at the IFSP• prioritize your greatest concerns• learn how to address those concerns• improve your ability to have productive conversations There will also be time set aside to ask questions.Early Intervention and Individualized Family Service Plans: A Closer Look with Kelsey Biswanger from 9:30am–11:00amRegister at tinyurl.com/375udkpu ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

1 day ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Whether you're just learning about IEP or if you've been to ten IEP meetings - join us to learn how the parts work together and how to be a valuable member of the team.We offer IEP: A Closer Look every month at different times of day, different days of the week to meet everyone's needs.❄️Thursday January 15 at 5pmwith Stephanie Nichollstinyurl.com/377b4w7k☕Monday February 9 at 12pmwith Stephanie Nichollstinyurl.com/4b6emncr🪻Tuesday March 10 at 9:30amwith Stephanie Nichollstinyurl.com/ztavbuh4 Click on our calendar tab at www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
❄️January 27, 2026 from 9:30am–11:00am. Register at tinyurl.com/4rjcp6n3 This online workshop will dive into two foundational concepts in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and how they apply to your child.FAPE is an important principle that ensures children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education that meets their individual needs.With appropriate supports and services, students with disabilities can benefit from meaningful interactions and learning experiences in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).Do you know MDE has Family Matters Fact Sheets on both of these topics?Find FAPE at www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/specialeducation/familymatters/FM1/FAPE_FactShe...Find LRE at www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/specialeducation/familymatters/FM2/LRE-Regs_Fac...Can't make it to FAPE in the LRE this month? This webinar is offered again on🌷March 11, 2026 from 4:30pm–6:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/52fpxp4d Visit our website calendar for full details, easy registration, and more topics. www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Starting the year full of possibility with a fresh calendar or a new page in your planner - and Michigan Alliance for Families invites you to learn with us in 2026.We have a full schedule of online learning opportunities for parents to learn more about special education and disability topics.🖨️A printable 2026 webinar calendar is now available for parents who want to continue to learn with us. tinyurl.com/2026MAF New topics in the new year include IFSP resources, exploring college options, and using Charting the LifeCourse tools. 🔗Visit our website to register: 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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