Home

  • Little girl drawing

    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.

Question mark icon Light bulb icon Speech bubble icon Calendar icon

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

Facebook Feed

Michigan Alliance for Families

1 day ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Our January Wednesday transition topics continue! Parents of middle and high school students with an IEP are invited to join us in the new year for a series of online workshops to explore transition to adulthood topics.❄️January 14 - Employment Expectations with Karen WangLearn how employment goals fit into the transition planning process for youth with disabilities and how to overcome barriers to employment. Register at tinyurl.com/xbahd2b6 ❄️January 21 - College Planning with an IEP with Karen WangStudents with disabilities can learn about their options for enrolling in college programs and how to request the accommodations they need. Register at tinyurl.com/2s3aw8ms ❄️February 7 - Transition: What You Need to Know with Karen WangLearn how to use the IEP transition plan along with community resources to plan a smooth transition from school to adulthood. Register at tinyurl.com/3fjdktr9 ❄️ February 18 - Planning for a Good Life Using Charting the LifeCourse Tools with Michigan Developmental Disabilities CouncilExplore practical tools to promote a person-centered approach that empowers individuals to pursue their vision for a good life. Register at tinyurl.com/yc7x9paa❄️February 21- Transition Beyond IDEA with Karen WangAn overview of community resources to assist with the transition from school to adult life. Register at tinyurl.com/ycxbhar5 Visit our website calendar for full details, share-able flyers, and easy registration www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo Linked to Article or Resource

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Michigan Alliance for Families

1 day ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
🕤 January 13 at 9:30AM Supporting Student Mental Health with ACMH - Association for Children's Mental Health (Michigan)igan). Register at tinyurl.com/742ke4x3Meeting the mental health needs of students is important for their success at home and at school. Our partners at @acmh_mi are joining us on January 13 for a free webinar on Supporting Student Mental Health.Learn about school-based mental health initiatives, family approaches, and helpful resources. Register at tinyurl.com/742ke4x3Visit our website calendar for full details, more learning opportunities, and easy registration www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo Linked to Article or Resource

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Thanks for attending tonight's webinar to learn more about dispute resolution services offered by Special Education Mediation Services Our partners at SEMS join us again next month:How to Build Trusting RelationshipsFebruary 5 at 4:30pmRegister at tinyurl.com/69ym54n5Trusting 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.Learn 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. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo Linked to Article or Resource

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
🕡Tonight at 6:30PMLearn more about facilitation and mediation services available from Special Education Mediation ServicesRegister for Collaborative Communication in Special Education-The Who, What, When, How of Special Education Mediation Services at tinyurl.com/2km2xmhzSpecial Education Mediation Services free services include✅ communication and collaboration skills training✅ meeting facilitation✅ mediation to resolve a disputeLearn morSpecial Education Mediation Services facilitation and mediation services can support collaborative conversations.January 12 at 6:30pmCollaborative Communication in Special Education-The Who, What, When, How of Special Education Mediation ServicesRegister at tinyurl.com/2km2xmhz ... See MoreSee Less

Photo Linked to Article or Resource

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
The return from break is a good time to collect data about the possible need for Extended School Year services.While all students may lose some skills over break, the important distinction is whether the student with a disability will experience more regression and will take significantly more time to recoup lost skills than student without disabilities. Regression is one just one of the needs to consider when discussing ESY.As with all IEP decisions, the IEP Team must base ESY decisions on data, and that includes data recorded and provided by parents. The decision is individualized and data based. More on ESY on our website: www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/extended-school-year/Available from MDE: “Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team Consideration of the Need for Extended School Year (ESY) Services” includes a worksheet to assist IEP Teams. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo Linked to Article or Resource

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

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.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email