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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

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Wednesday October 1, is the Fall 2025 School Count Day for the state of Michigan. Count Day is when all public schools in Michigan tally the number of students attending their schools. School attendance is important every day, but attendance on Count Day determines school funding and state resources. Count information is critical to districts, because each student translates into state funding.The count days and school funding are mandated through the State School Aid Act.The count dates are first Wednesday in October and the second Wednesday in February. More info at www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/OFM/State-Aid/Pupil-Accounting/Student-Count-Da...? ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Dealing with discipline issues?Is your child being sent home from school or removed from the classroom?Has your teen been suspended from school?Join Michigan Alliance for Families on October 29 to learn about Discipline Protections for Students with Disabilities. Register at tinyurl.com/yc7t8j9e If a student breaks a rule at school, state law limits the ways the student may be disciplined. Students with a disability have further protections under state and federal laws that guarantee their right to receive a free appropriate public education.Registration is also open for a November 18 for a webinar on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. Register at tinyurl.com/5xyn7ceb When challenging behavior interferes with the learning process, it has to be addressed. Special education law allows for a Functional Behavior Assessment to determine why the behavior is happening. This evaluation data is used to develop a Behavior Intervention Plan. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports are the proactive, positive tools to teach and support positive behavior skills.Full details, easy registration, and more learning opportunities on our website www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Supported decision-making is an approach that encourages individuals with disabilities to make their own life decisions with support from family, friends, and trusted individuals.@Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council joins us on October 24 at 12pm for Tools for Supported Decision MakingRegister at tinyurl.com/mu4ubr4p - Learn the basics of supported decision-making- Explore specific tools that can be used to support decision-making- Hear real-life experiences- Discuss how to integrate supported decision-making ideas into the IEPSee our full calendar of upcoming online learning opportunities on our website www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

3 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education has released new guidance on Supporting Attendance for Students with Disabilities.This guidance will help schools and families understand why students with disabilities may miss school more often and what can be done to support better attendance. The new resource addresses:- Why attendance matters- School attendance rules- Identifying students who need help- Behavior and discipline- Understanding chronic absenteeism- How schools can help - IEP considerations - Medical absences- Other factors affecting student absenteeism (such as lack of transportation and housing)Improving student attendance is part of Michigan's effort to improve the health, safety, and wellness of all learners by increasing the number and percentage of students who have on-track attendance. Document available at:Supporting Attendance for Students with DisabilitiesMore attendance and truancy resources on our website www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/attendance/ ... 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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