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.
Answers about your child's special education program
Information about your child's disability
Hear from one of our Parent Mentors
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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NEW YOUTH SUMMIT
Michigan Alliance for Families is thrilled to announce our first Youth Summit, May 2-3 in Livonia! Application period closed 3/28. Chosen participants will be notified after 4/10. -
NEW VIDEO
Check out our latest video, Discipline Protections for Students with Disabilities, available on the Michigan Alliance for Families YouTube channel.
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NEW VIDEO
Check out our latest video, The Power of Notice, available on the Michigan Alliance for Families YouTube channel. -
RESOURCES
- Important resources from Michigan Department of Education: Family Matters Fact Sheets, Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education, and Michigan.gov Special Education.
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We're talking tech on Tuesdays this month! Our partners from Alt+Shift and Michigan Disability Rights Coalition will join us for 3 upcoming webinars!![]()
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1️⃣ April 8 Assistive Technology: More than Checking a Box with Alt+Shift at 12pm. Register at tinyurl.com/4n7n4wc9![]()
This workshop will discuss AT in the Individualized Education Program (IEP):![]()
• Developing a well-written Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) statement to include the difficulties the student is experiencing![]()
• Establishing goals to address difficulties![]()
• Creating an implementation (follow-through) plan![]()
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2️⃣April 15 Intro to Augmentative & Alternative Communication & Resources with MDRC at 12pm. Register at tinyurl.com/sakn2378![]()
Students who have difficulty expressing themselves may require an alternative way to communicate. Communication systems, strategies, and tools that replace or supplement natural speech are known as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).![]()
• what is AAC and when AAC should be considered![]()
• how to find the right AAC![]()
• philosophies to consider![]()
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3️⃣April 22 Supporting Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)@Home with Alt+Shift at 12pm. Register at tinyurl.com/39msvks5![]()
Many have questions about how to use AAC at home and how to best support growing their AAC user's communication skills. This online session will cover:![]()
• Strategies for incorporating AAC tools into daily routines![]()
• Training skills to support AAC as a communication partner![]()
• Advice from other parents AAC users on supporting AAC at home![]()
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For full details ➡️ www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/April is AAC Awareness Month, a time to promote and celebrate Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for individuals with speech and language challenges. It’s a great opportunity to advocate for inclusion, accessibility, and the power of communication for all. Plan to join us next month to learn more! ![]()
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Our partners from Alt+Shift and Michigan Disability Rights Coalition joins us for 3 upcoming webinars. Register today to save your spot! ![]()
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1️⃣ April 8 Assistive Technology: More than Checking a Box with Alt+Shift at 12pm. Register at tinyurl.com/4n7n4wc9![]()
This workshop will discuss AT in the Individualized Education Program (IEP):![]()
• Developing a well-written Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) statement to include the difficulties the student is experiencing![]()
• Establishing goals to address difficulties![]()
• Creating an implementation (follow-through) plan![]()
![]()
2️⃣April 15 Intro to Augmentative & Alternative Communication & Resources with MDRC at 12pm. Register at tinyurl.com/sakn2378![]()
Students who have difficulty expressing themselves may require an alternative way to communicate. Communication systems, strategies, and tools that replace or supplement natural speech are known as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).![]()
• what is AAC and when AAC should be considered![]()
• how to find the right AAC![]()
• philosophies to consider![]()
![]()
3️⃣April 22 Supporting Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)@Home with Alt+Shift at 12pm. Register at tinyurl.com/39msvks5![]()
Many have questions about how to use AAC at home and how to best support growing their AAC user's communication skills. This online session will cover:![]()
• Strategies for incorporating AAC tools into daily routines![]()
• Training skills to support AAC as a communication partner![]()
• Advice from other parents AAC users on supporting AAC at home![]()
![]()
For full details and more webinar topics, visit the calendar page on our website at www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/
April showers bring more learning opportunities from Michigan Alliance for Families. ![]()
Register to join us online for these upcoming webinars, no umbrella (or snow shovel) required!![]()
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April 7 Transition: What You Need to Know with Karen Wang from 9:30am-11:30am. Register at tinyurl.com/yfyumjeh![]()
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April 8 Assistive Technology: More than Checking a Box with Sara Pericolosi from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/4n7n4wc9![]()
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April 14 Transition Beyond IDEA with Karen Wang from 9:30am-11:00am. Register at tinyurl.com/2shx45sz![]()
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April 15 Intro to Augmentative & Alternative Communication & Resources from 12:00pm-1:00pm with Caitlin Hurban. Register at tinyurl.com/sakn2378![]()
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April 16 IFSP: A Closer Look with Kelsey Biswanger from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/37fzcs88![]()
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April 17 Building Parent Leadership in Early Childhood with Stephanie Nicholls and Victoria Martinez. a 4-week series for parents with young children. Thursdays from 9:30am-10:30am. Register at tinyurl.com/BPLSspring2025![]()
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April 17 FAPE in the LRE with Stephanie Nicholls from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/2puk9ebv![]()
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April 21 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) with Stephanie Nicholls from 4:00pm-5:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/4tdf7zxt![]()
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April 22 Supporting Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)@Home with Carolyn Parker from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Register at tinyurl.com/39msvks5![]()
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April 23 IEP: A Closer Look with Stephanie Nicholls from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/yuyhfpcp![]()
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April 25 & May 2 Behavior is Communication (two part webinar) with Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle from 1:00pm-2:30pm. Register at tinyurl.com/53r8nysk![]()
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Full details and easy registration via our website calendar ➡️ www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/
🤔"Notice”? What's that?![]()
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Notice is a legal requirement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Notice is provided to the parent by a district to explain an action the district wants to take, or is refusing to take, with a student who has a disability or is suspected of having a disability. Notice provides the reason(s) that the district is proposing or refusing an activity and must include sources for parents to contact to obtain assistance in understanding the law.![]()
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School districts must give parents a written notice (information received in writing), whenever the school district:![]()
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(1) Proposes to begin or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of your child or the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to your child; or![]()
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(2) Refuses to begin or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of your child or the provision of FAPE to your child.![]()
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Parents need the information included in Notice so they can make informed decisions about what to do next.![]()
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🖥️Check out our latest video release, all about The Power of Notice ➡️ youtu.be/pZ540AY5As4 ![]()
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While you're there, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, click![]()
here ➡️https://www.youtube.com/MichiganAlliance?sub_confirmation=1![]()
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🖥️ More resources on our website www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/notice/
🆕 The Power of Notice 🆕![]()
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In this video, learn more about your right to Notice. Notice comes in writing from the school district and explains decisions made about your child’s education, and the reasons for making those decisions.![]()
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When a school agrees to make or refuses to make specific changes to your child's IEP or IFSP, they should provide you with a written document that explains their reasoning. Parents need the information included in Notice so they can make informed decisions about what to do next.![]()
![]()
🖥️Check out our latest video release at youtu.be/pZ540AY5As4 ![]()
![]()
While you're there, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, click![]()
here ➡️https://www.youtube.com/MichiganAlliance?sub_confirmation=1
Families with middle and high school students with an IEP are invited to join us for two Monday mornings in April to learn about the Transition to Adulthood.![]()
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🌱 Monday, April 7 at 9:30am - Transition: What You Need to Know. ![]()
Learn how to use the IEP transition plan along with community resources to plan a smooth transition from school to adulthood. Register at tinyurl.com/yfyumjeh![]()
🌱 Monday, April 14 at 9:30am - Transition Beyond IDEA. An overview of community resources to assist with the transition from school to adult life. Register at tinyurl.com/2shx45sz![]()
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Visit our website calendar full details, more webinars, and easy registration. www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/🌱 The first day of spring—a season of growth and new beginnings! ![]()
Just like nature transitions, youth experience their own transition into adulthood.![]()
As youth with disabilities move through school, we need to think about what comes next. This is called post-secondary transition planning. Transition is the individualized action plan that addresses the skills, programs, and opportunities needed for the student to be successful after their school career ends.![]()
Families with middle and high school students with an IEP are invited to join us for these online transition workshops coming up in April and May![]()
🌱 Monday, April 7 at 9:30am - Transition: What You Need to Know. Register at tinyurl.com/yfyumjeh![]()
🌱 Monday, April 14 at 9:30am - Transition Beyond IDEA. Register at tinyurl.com/2shx45sz![]()
🌱 Wednesday, May 7 at 4:30pm Collaborating on Transition. Register at tinyurl.com/uzycn4z5![]()
Visit our calendar of events for full details and easy registration. www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/
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.
