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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

24 hours ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
An updated guidance document from Michigan Department of Education - Office of Special Education provides direction on the requirements for Specially Designed Instruction to support teams to develop effective IEPs. Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) means adapting instruction to meet the needs of a student with an IEP. This includes adapting the content, methodology, and/or delivery of instruction to address the unique needs of the student while ensuring access to the general education curriculum.SDI is designed to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability, as described in the student’s PLAAFP. SDI must be designed to address gaps in academic, behavioral, and/or functional progress toward age- and grade-level standards.All students with disabilities are general education students first. Students with disabilities are not guests in the general education classroom. They are full members of the general education community, with the right to be included and supported within the general education environment. The purpose of special education, including the provision of specially designed instruction in the LRE, is to ensure a student with a disability has access to and makes progress in the general education curriculum and meets the same standards that apply to all students. SDI is designed to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability related to specific exceptionalities, as described in the student’s PLAAFP. SDI must be designed to address gaps in academic, behavioral, and/or functional progress toward age- and grade-level standards.The updated resource outlines core components for documenting SDI within the IEP, clarification of who is qualified to provide SDI, and a chart to help understand what SDI is and what it isn't. Document available at www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/specialeducation/iep/SDI.pdf ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

1 day ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
🕛 Tuesday February 10 @ noonUnderstanding Personal Curriculum and Graduation with Rashell Bowerman, Michigan Department of Education from 12:00pm–2:00pmRegister at tinyurl.com/bdz9xma5 Can't make it today? This free webinar is offered again on April 13. Registration open now at tinyurl.com/9d394r9c👍 Data shows more Michigan high schoolers are taking advantage of Personal Curriculum to get their diploma.📌Middle school and high school families are invited to join Rashell Bowerman from Michigan Department of Education on February 10 to learn more about this valuable tool that can help students earn their diploma.The Personal Curriculum option allows for certain modifications to the Michigan's high school graduation requirements and personalize their schedule to make the most of their high school years.🧷 RSVP at tinyurl.com/bdz9xma5 today to save your spot to learn more about this important topic. ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
Join us on Wednesday February 11 at noon for a Due Process Complaint and Hearing workshop that will explain when and why a parent may want to file a due process complaint/request a due process hearing and how the process works. When you have a special education question or issue, there are several options for addressing the problem. Concerns can often be taken care of informally at a classroom or school level.The most effective dispute resolution methods use direct communication in a collaborative manner. But when a disagreement can't be worked out through informal discussions, there are dispute resolution options available to parents. These include facilitated meetings, mediation, state complaints, and due process complaints.Due process hearing is a formal way to resolve disputes with a school about your child’s education. In a due process hearing there is an impartial hearing officer, a hearing, evidence, and witnesses. See full details and our complete calendar for more events: www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Michigan Alliance for Families

2 days ago

Michigan Alliance for Families
🕛Monday February 9 at 12pmIEP: A Closer LookRegister at tinyurl.com/4b6emncr ... 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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