FEBRUARY 2024
The Informed,
Educated Parent

A newsletter about special education for Michigan families
Greetings!

Black history is America's history. Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the accomplishments of Black Americans, and acknowledge the work that remains as we move toward an inclusive and equitable future.

Michigan Alliance for Families advocates for the rights of people with disabilities within the education system, and we are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As parents, we know the power of advocacy. We are committed to addressing equity for those we serve.

Kanika Littleton
Director, Michigan Alliance for Families
Now Hiring!
Are you the parent (or close family member) of a child with a disability who receives (or has received) early intervention or special education services? Would you like to mentor and support other families on special education matters?

Regional Parent Mentors live in the area they serve. If you live in one of these regions, please take a look at the job posts for further information. Resumes are due by February 16, 2024.

NEW: Evaluation Timeline Graphic
a visual representation of the timeline for Initial Evaluation Procedures for Special Education Programs and Services from Michigan Department of Education. https://www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/specialeducation/eval-eligibility/Initial
A shared understanding of timelines helps educators and families communicate clearly.

A new document from Michigan Department of Education provides a visual representation for initial evaluations to determine eligibility for special education programs and services.

The new graphic supports the current Guidance for Timeline for Initial Evaluations document.
New Transition Videos
We've added two new videos to our video library. Subscribe to the Michigan Alliance for Families YouTube channel to receive notification when a new video is added.

The IEP Transition planning process is all about the student, school team, family, and outside agencies working together to prepare the student for adulthood.

"Collaborating on Transition" can help you make the most out of the IEP transition planning process.


"Transition: What You Need to Know" covers each step from age 14 onward through the IEP transition planning process, all the way to connecting with adult services. This video is chaptered, which makes it easy to come back to the Action Steps discussed.
LIPA
Applications are currently being accepted for the next Leaders in Policy Advocacy (LIPA) Cohort! This leadership development training program for adults with developmental disabilities and parents of minor children with developmental disabilities aims to educate participants on the disability rights movement and provide tools and resources for effective advocacy.  

This six-month training includes both in-person and online weekends featuring a diverse group of disability experts. Training topics include:  
  • Disability History  
  • Inclusive Education  
  • Assistive Technology & social media  
  • Self-determination and Alternatives to Guardianship  
  • Person Centered Planning  
  • Access to Housing and Employment Benefits and Systems of Support  
  • Systems Change

Applications deadline is February 29, 2024. Selected participants will be notified in March.

Participants who complete the 2024 LIPA program will be a part of a larger network of past LIPA graduates who have gone on to help create a more inclusive world for individuals with developmental disabilities through organizing, advocating, and systems change efforts. Join the movement!
Please contact Karah Ley with any questions.
[email protected] or 517-574-1517
Intersection of IDEA and McKinney Vento
School districts have an obligation to provide students with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness with the educational services for which they are entitled.

Every school has a local homeless education coordinator, who must identify and serve children and youth experiencing homelessness.

Michigan Department of Education has issued a new document to help districts understand their responsibilities to students with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and with the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

This new guidance provides definitions of "homeless children and youths" and "school of origin" and offers questions and answers to guide school districts about making determinations in students' best interests.
Early On® Spotlight
To best advocate for our children, we have to be fully informed on our rights and responsibilities as well as the schools responsibilities. Recently, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) released this document: 2023 Early Childhood Transition Questions and Answers - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that highlights some responsibilities and policies around the Transition from Early On (Part C) to Special Education Programs and Services (Part B).

The 17 questions and answers included in this document clarify the respective IDEA Parts B and C responsibilities in implementing these early childhood transition requirements for infants and toddlers with disabilities into preschool special education or other early childhood programs, including appropriate monitoring, technical assistance, and accurate reporting of data and other required information for the State Performance Plan /Annual Performance Report transition indicators (SPP/APR Part C Indicator 8A, 8B and 8C and SPP/APR Part B Indicator 12).

This data is reported to give data portraits of how our children, and our state are doing serving these children birth to 3 years old. Connect with your Regional Parent Mentor for more information.
Join us on March 8 for Moving On from Early On with Stephanie Nicholls from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/44hzraze 
Upcoming Michigan Alliance for Families Events
February 20 Rethinking Discipline with Amy Wilhelm from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/25h62nj7 
February 21 Tools for Supported Decision-Making with Mary Shehan and Kaiden Tolbert from 6:30pm-8:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/mpw78m3v 
February 22 Special Education State Complaints with Michelle Driscoll from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/49r44xpw 
February 23 Collaborating on Transition with Karen Wang from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yn237s6n 
February 28 Disability is Not a Bad Word with Stephanie Nicholls from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/zwjwvhje 
February 29 Due Process Complaint with Michelle Driscoll from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/56f5bzcy

March 4 Transition: Employment Expectations with Karen Wang from 9:30am-11:00am. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yesukd5c 
March 5 Mental Health is Essential! And Key to Success at School with Terri Henrizi. For the 12:00pm-1:30pm webinar, register at https://tinyurl.com/yu82eeuj. For the 6:30pm-8:00pm webinar, register at https://tinyurl.com/4j2pmv37 
March 8 Moving On from Early On ® with Stephanie Nicholls from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/44hzraze 
March 12 Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support Overview with Stephanie Nicholls from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/csa5jt87 
March 13 Brighton Understanding IEPs with Kelsey Biswanger at Arc Livingston at 7:00pm. Register by March 6.
March 14 The Power of Notice with Michelle Driscoll from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Register at  https://tinyurl.com/bdk32wcc 
March 19 Exploring Behavior Supports with Stacie Rulison from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/hjntdzp7 
March 19 IEP: A Closer Look with Andrea Beachnau from 1:00pm-2:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/hu3j96rv 
March 21 Collaborative Communication in Special Education with Beth Kohler from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/dh92te2k 
In the News
Michigan Council for Exceptional Children offers Camperships, an opportunity for students to apply for funding (up to $250) to attend a summer camp in Michigan.

These Camperships are open to students with an active IEP, in need of financial support, and would otherwise not have an opportunity for a summer camp experience.
Statewide Autism Resources & Training (START) is offering a scholarship to Michigan family members of a child with a disability, to cover the cost of registration for the 23rd Annual START Conference.

Creating Connections: Strengthening Belonging is taking place on April 22 in East Lansing.
An inclusive early childhood environment is key to helping kids with autism prepare for their educational journey.

Reporting from Second Wave Media

Un ambiente inclusivo en la educación infantil es la clave para ayudar a preparar a los niños con autismo para tener éxito académico.

Reportando desde Second Wave Media
Have questions about this event or other special education questions?
Ask us! 
1-800-552-4821
En Español
313-217-1060
للغه العربيه 
248-963-0607
Michigan Alliance for Families is our state's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. We are a Michigan Department of Education IDEA Grant Funded Initiative. The efforts of Michigan Alliance for Families align with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to help improve results for children with disabilities. Michigan Alliance for Families can assist you in knowing your rights, effectively communicating your child's needs, and advising how to help your child develop and learn.