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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

6 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
October 15 at 12:30pmHow to Build Trusting RelationshipsRegister at tinyurl.com/yvddemyhLearn to define, build, maintain and repair trust – even with the most challenging personalities! Examples of effective and ineffective strategies will be shared along with the chance to practice techniques presented.Trusting relationships between families and schools are the foundation for student success. If you’re struggling with tough special education meetings, Special Education Mediation Services can provide communication services and lay the foundation for your student’s success.Our partners at SEMS join us twice next month.How to Build Trusting RelationshipsOctober 15 at 12:30pmRegister at tinyurl.com/yvddemyhLearn to define, build, maintain and repair trust – even with the most challenging personalities! Examples of effective and ineffective strategies will be shared along with the chance to practice techniques presented.October 22 at 12pmCollaborative Communication in Special EducationRegister at tinyurl.com/t9pd8cudLearn more about how SEMS facilitation and mediation services can support collaborative conversations.SEMS free services include✅ communication and collaboration skills training✅ meeting facilitation✅ mediation to resolve a disputeFor more details, easy registration, and complete calendar of events, visit www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

7 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education released new guidance on Determining the Need for Specialized Transportation.Special transportation is considered a related service. Transportation includes travel to and from school and between schools; travel in and around school buildings as well as non-academic and extracurricular activities; and specialized equipment such as special or adapted buses, lifts and ramps, if required.Transportation options of a student with an IEP range from least restrictive to most restrictive environments based on a student’s individual needs. Those supports/services should be documented in the IEP. The IEP Team will look at student data and consider the unique circumstances of the individual student. Factors to consider include:- the nature and extent of the student’s disability- behavioral issues- medical or safety issues- the need for specialized equipment- potential harmful effectDocument available at www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/specialeducation/iep/DeterminingNeed-Specialize...More on related services on our website www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/related-services/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

1 week ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
⏰Today at noon - Supporting Student Mental Health webinar!ACMH - Association for Children's Mental Health (Michigan)igan) join us on October 13 to share practical tips, strategies and tools you can use to help you support your child, teen, or young adult at school.Register now at: tinyurl.com/523n4m49Back to school can be stressful. Supporting our kid’s mental health needs is key to learning and school success.Register today to join ACMH - Association for Children's Mental Health (Michigan) on October 13 for a free, online workshop to share some practical tips, strategies and tools you can use to help you support your child, teen, or young adult at school.This webinar explores questions like:❔How do mental health and school performance impact each other?❔What do mental health challenges at school look-like socially, emotionally, and behaviorally?❔What does it look like when youth are well-supported?❔How to unlock success, get support, access, accommodations, and make connections? Register at: tinyurl.com/523n4m49 ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

1 week ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
🆕 For parents whose children receive special education services: Empowered Parent IEP Course, three Thursdays at noon starting November 6. Registrations accepted 10/7 - 10/21 (or when full)This IEP Course includes small group discussions and weekly assignments to apply the class information to your 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 way ... 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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