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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Special Education Resources

Answers about your child's special education program

Disability Information

Information about your child's disability

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

PROPOSED CHANGES TO MARSE

MDE is proposing changes to MARSE. Public hearings and public comments taking place through October 16.
NEW COMMITTEE WANTS TO HEAR FROM PARENTS

State Board Special Education Committee wants to hear from students, parents, and others. Deadline to complete the SBOE form is October 16.

EMPOWERED PARENT IEP COURSE

Registration opens October 1 for 3 week Empowered Parent IEP Course. Limited spaces available.
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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Michigan Alliance for Families

5 minutes ago

The Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education is proposing changes to the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE).🙋‍♂️Virtual public hearings will take place on the October 12 and 13.🙋‍♀️On October 13 an in-person hearing will be held in Lansing.🙋🏼Written comments about the proposed rules must be received by the MDE no later than 5PM on October 16, 2026.The proposed changes to MARSE include:-Updated language for adaptive behavior and defines electronic submission to include email, facsimile, or other department-approved electronic means-Standardizes timeline wording of a written request for an initial evaluation-Clarifies that the evaluation timelines to apply to any evaluation and that the 30-school-day evaluation timeline begins on the day after receipt of signed parental consent-Updates initial evaluation timelines and notification standards-Mandates written notice of a FAPE offer or ineligibility determination within 7 school days after an IEP meeting, including documented delivery date and mode-Specifies FAPE implementation decisions for transfer students within 30 school days of enrollment-Clarifies special education teacher endorsement details-Deletes "Stay Put" in State Complaints, which previously allowed MDE to order a district to maintain a student's placement during the investigation-Removes language allowing a State Complaint to be delayed while attempting informal resolution🔗Find the proposed changes, hearing date information, and public comment specifics at: www.michigan.gov/mde/services/special-education/spotlight/noticeofpublichearing2026-14ed ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

7 hours ago

In June, the State Board of Education formed the bipartisan Special Education Committee to identify strategies and best practices that support student success, strengthen partnerships with districts and families, and help ensure students with disabilities receive the services, supports and opportunities they deserve. Students, families, educators, advocates, school districts, service providers and community stakeholders from are invited to fill out the Michigan State Board of Education Special Education Committee Engagement Opportunities form.The form provides an opportunity to share what they want the committee to know, indicate how they would like to participate and sign up to receive information about committee meetings, listening sessions, district visits and other opportunities to engage.🔗Complete the form by October 16 tinyurl.com/SBOEcommittee ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

9 hours ago

Michigan Department of Education is the state agency responsible for overseeing public K-12 instruction, setting academic standards, and administering special education and early childhood programs.Michigan Department of Education - Office of Special Education provides the general supervision, administration, and funding of special education programs and services for eligible children and youth with disabilities from age 3 through age 25, in accordance with federal and state law. You can reach out to directly to MDE-OSE via their Special Education Information Line: 888-320-8384 or email mde-ose@michigan.gov. Learn more about MDE initiatives and other special education matters on our websitewww.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/our-partners/ Parents need to understand the important words that impact their child's special education services. Follow this page as we help decode this alphabet soup. ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

23 hours ago

Wednesday October 7, is the Fall 2026 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... ...

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Michigan Alliance for Families

1 day ago

Students with disabilities have substantially higher chronic absenteeism rates than other students. A missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn. When a student’sdisability impacts their ability to attend school consistently, the student is at risk of not making progress in the general curriculum and not achieving their IEP goals and objectives.Students who are chronically absent are less likely to graduate and enter adulthood equipped with the skills needed to navigate responsibilities and opportunities.💡Find resources, guidance, and answers to frequently asked questions on our website www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/attendance/📞Connect with a Michigan Alliance for Families Parent Mentor to discuss specific concerns about your child or teen 1-800-552-4821 or info@michiganallianceforfamilies.org ...

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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.