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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 hours ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
October has arrived! As families settle into the schoolyear, our webinar calendar is full. Register to save your spot!October 1 Registration opens for Empowered Parent IEP Course -Three Tuesdays in November, from 11:30am-1:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/IEPFALL2026 Registration closes on 10/19 (or when full).October 1 PAC Best Practices: Data Basics with Stephanie Nicholls 10:00am-11:00am. Register at tinyurl.com/3yhsyt7b October 1 IEP: A Closer Look with Andrea Beachnau 6:30pm-8:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/5n8s8bw3 October 6 Supporting Students Mental Health with Association for Children’s Mental Health 7:00pm-8:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/bdfj22ne October 7 Building Parent Leadership Skills in Early Childhood with Kelsey Biswanger and Stephanie Nicholls. Four Wednesdays 12:00pm-1:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/BPLfall26 October 8 Data for Understanding with Julie Trevino and Amanda Way from the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education 10:00-11:00am. Register at tinyurl.com/23d63p6a October 9 Sensory Processing Part 1 with Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle 1:00pm-2:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/2nh7cy4b October 10 IEP Transition Planning for Adult Life with Karen Wang 10:30am-12:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/m66kry3y October 12 Collaborative Communication in Special Education with Special Education Mediation Services 12:00pm-1:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/3djkc4bh October 12 Adulting 101- Online Safety 4:30pm-5:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/adultingMAFOctober 15 College Planning with an IEP with Karen Wang 6:30pm-8:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/mr5tne78 October 16 Sensory Processing Part 2 with Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle 1:00pm-2:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/2nh7cy4b October 17 Transition Pathways into Adult Life with Karen Wang 10:30am-12:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/4zu5m7rc October 19 Epilepsy at School: Advocacy, Learning, and Mental Health with Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan 6:30pm-8:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/mshkyhh9 October 20 FAPE in the LRE with Stephanie Nicholls 6:30pm-8:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/5n6h4efu October 21 Transition: Employment Expectations with Karen Wang 10:00am-11:30am. Register at tinyurl.com/mj2am68p October 22 Assistive Technology: What It Is and Why It Matters with Alt+Shift 12:00pm-1:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/nc44tr92 October 24 Transition: Beyond IDEA with Karen Wang 10:30am-12:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/mw8ysh4t October 27 Be a Data Detective with Andrea Beachnau 6:30pm-7:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/y8mde8e3 October 29 Section 504 @ School: What Parents Need to Know with Michelle Driscoll & Stephanie Nicholls 12:00pm-1:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/2tmc5p84 🔗Visit our website for full details and easy registration. www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

24 hours ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
🕡 Thursday October 1 @ 6:30PMIEP: A Closer Look with Andrea BeachnauRegister at tinyurl.com/5n8s8bw3Has the new school year brought up questions about your child's special education supports and services? Join us next Thursday October 1 at 6:30PM 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 October, 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/🎃Thursday October 1 at 6:30PMtinyurl.com/5n8s8bw3🦃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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Michigan Alliance for Families

1 day ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!🔗 Parents whose children receive special education services are invited to register for the Empowered Parent IEP Course at tinyurl.com/IEPfall2026 Empowered Parent IEP Course, three Tuesdays at 11:30am starting November 3. Registrations accepted 10/1 - 10/19 (or when full)This IEP Course provides action steps to apply the information to your own 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 wayVisit our website calendar for additional webinar topics. www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

1 day ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
🕙 October 1 @ 10AMPAC Best Practices: Data BasicsRegister at tinyurl.com/3yhsyt7b ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Say hello to our Parent Mentor covering the Northeast Region - Samantha Salo! Driven by a genuine passion for supporting families, she specializes in empowering parents of young children as they navigate the unique challenges of early childhood development. Living and working in Northern Michigan, Samantha possesses knowledge of local resources and a specialized understanding of the specific needs within rural communities.Samantha is proud to work for an organization that proves everyday how a small group of people can change the lives of many for the better and help create a more accessible and inclusive future.Throughout the year, get to know our team members who use their lived experience navigating special education to support families across Michigan every day. #maf20years ...

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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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