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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 is hiring a Parent Mentor!If you're in Genesee County and are interested in providing information, mentoring, and support to other families around special education issues, apply!Know someone in Genesee County who would make a good candidate? Please forward this email or direct them to our website michiganallianceforfamilies.org/hiring/ to share this job opportunity.See job description for full details, resumes due by this Friday, September 19. Full details at www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/hiring/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Sensory Processing affects how the brain processes sensory information. Sensory information includes things you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch.What might that look like?🧥 clothes feels too scratchy or itchy💡 lights are too bright🔊 sounds seem too loud🥣 sensitivity to food textures🚶‍♀️ poor balance or seem clumsy😨 afraid to play on the playground😖 react poorly to sudden touches, loud noises, movementWhen sensory disorders are looked at as non-compliance or bad behavior - that can cause problems with social skills, self-regular, and daily life. When parents and schools have a better understanding of how SPD is impacting a student, those needs can be addressed.Join us on two Fridays September 26 and October 3 for this two-part online Sensory Processing workshop with Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle.Register at tinyurl.com/2utyyfyk Visit our website calendar to see more topics www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Teens and young adults who have an active IEP can learn to take action in life to get the things they want and need! Register to join us for a Youth Self-Determination Course starting Monday October 20.During this four-week online course, young people can learn to choose and set their own goals, be more involved with decision making, and learn to advocate for themselves.✔️Choices and decision making✔️Problem solving✔️Setting and reaching goals✔️Self awareness, regulation, and advocacy These are interactive online sessions and participants should come ready to share. Space is limited. Registration closes September 26th or when the course is full. Register at tinyurl.com/YDSfall2025More learning opportunities on our website calendar www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Your experience as a parent is valuable. As the new school year begins, you may be looking for more ways to get involved at school? Want to learn more about serving on a committee or board?Join us online on September 17 for a webinar about putting your experience and knowledge as a parent to good use. Register at tinyurl.com/53usre34 Topics covered include:• Types of committees• Effective involvement• The importance of the parent voice• What information to gather when considering serving• Issues to considerWho should attend? Families with a child with disabilities or learning challenges who are looking for opportunities to have impact, other interested members of the community Parents who are already serving on their PAC are invited to join us on October 20 Parent Advisory Committees: Best Practices. Register at tinyurl.com/PACfall2025 Find more opportunities to learn about special education issues on our website calendar➡️https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events ... See MoreSee Less
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Opportunities to learn on Wednesdays at noon continue in September!📅Wednesday September 17 Serving on Special Education Committees. Register at tinyurl.com/53usre34 📅Wednesday September 24 Special Education Evaluation and Eligibility. Register at tinyurl.com/mrx384yc Full details and easy register on our website 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.