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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

  • UPDATES AND EVENTS

    Know someone who might be interested in receiving our e-newsletter and event notifications? Share this link: https://tiny.one/MAFNews. 

  • NEW VIDEO

    Students with disabilities have options when it comes to post-secondary education! Check out our latest video College Planning with an IEP .

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Michigan Alliance for Families

19 hours ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
🕠November 5 @ 5:30PMIEP Eligibility with Stephanie Nicholls Register at tinyurl.com/4thcrx48IEP EligibilityNovember 5 @ 5:30PMRegister at tinyurl.com/4thcrx48The special education process begins by determining if your child is eligible for an IEP.In this webinar we will explore:❔the difference between medical diagnosis and IEP eligibility❔importance of "educational impact"❔criteria for the 13 eligibility categories❔evaluation and eligibility resources💻See the full calendar of upcoming webinars at www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

23 hours ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
We are inviting parents, middle schoolers, high schoolers, and young adults to learn more about free resources to plan for a good life after high school. On December 9, Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council joins us for Planning for a Good Life Using the LifeCourse Tools. These are practical tools that support individuals with disabilities throughout all stages of life. If you're looking for a starting point for a conversation or how to start thinking about planning, these are the tools for you. Register at tinyurl.com/3hxxvhbv✔️Explore the vital role families play in supporting their loved one across the lifespan.✔️Learn how the LifeCourse Framework serves as a foundation for working with individuals with disabilities and their families.✔️See real-life examples on how to use the tools to support a good life.✔️Understand how to use Charting the LifeCourse for decision-making and problem-solving. See our full calendar at: www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Throughout the year, get to know our team members who use their lived experience navigating special education to support families across Michigan every day as we celebrate twenty years of special education.Say hello to Rachael Rubicz, our Parent Mentor in Genesee county. Rachael manages a high volume of complex inquiries. She has an extensive knowledge base in diverse family dynamics and early childhood development. Her ability to reassure and support families at critical moments makes her a vital asset for the organization. #maf20years ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Parents need to understand the important words that impact their child's special education services. Follow this page as we help decode this alphabet soup.Talk 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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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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