MAY 2022
The Informed,
Educated Parent

A newsletter about special education for Michigan families
Greetings!

For most of us, the countdown till the end of the school year is on, filled with field trips, ceremonies, and activities. If "IEP" is still on your to-do list for the year, we're here to help.

Parents are able to connect with their Parent Mentor to discuss IEP and special education concerns. 1-800-552-4821 or [email protected]

Best wishes for a safe and healthy summer.

Kanika Littleton
Director, Michigan Alliance for Families
Workshop for Teens
Students and young adults (ages 14 and up) who have an active IEP are invited to an online workshop to learn about self-awareness and self-advocacy.

We will explore
  • What self-awareness and self-advocacy mean
  • Why self-awareness and self-advocacy are important
  • How to identify and communicate your Strengths, Preferences, Interests, and Needs (SPIN)

This session is interactive, please come ready to share. Parents are encouraged to support as needed.
Updated Child Find Guidance
The Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education has released an updated document: Guidance for Timeline for Initial Evaluations.

The revised guidance reflects that if a request for an evaluation is made verbally, the district must support the parent in documenting this request.

A failure to acknowledge a verbal request could result in a violation of a district’s child find obligation to identify, locate and evaluate students (from birth through age 25) who are in need of special education.

This update is reflected in our new video on Evaluation and Eligibility. This video explains when and how a parent might seek an evaluation of their child for special education supports.
Juvenile Justice
Students with disabilities who are detained or incarcerated maintain their right to a free appropriate public education. This includes special education programs and services as specified in their Individualized Education Program.

Beyond the legal requirements, these youth who are most at risk for academic failure and/or continued involvement with the justice system need access to every possibility for rehabilitation, education, and reintegration into their school and community.

Many youth in the justice systems go through school with unaddressed academic, behavioral, or mental health needs. One study found that up to 85 percent of children in juvenile detention facilities have disabilities that make them eligible for special education, but only 37 percent received services in school.

IDEA requires that all eligible students with disabilities who are in need of special education be identified, located, and evaluated. This includes students who were not identified prior to their entry into a correctional facility.
Early On® Spotlight
Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council (MICC) strengthens and supports Michigan families of children ages birth to five with disabilities by advising and assisting the Michigan Department of Education in the evaluation and continuous improvement of the Early On system.

The MICC is currently looking for parents to be a voice for other families in Early On. Would you like to become a parent leader and be a voice for parents? Contact Barb Schinderle for more information.
Family Leadership Award
The Parent Involvement Committee of the Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council is accepting nominations for the Celena Barnes Family Leadership Award.
 
Anyone can nominate a parent (biological/adoptive parents, foster parents, or grandparents) of a child who participated in Early On and are in leadership roles that contribute to the well-being of children.
 
Celena was a lifelong learner who attended and presented at local, state, and national conferences.  Celena also worked for Michigan Alliance for Families as a Regional Parent Mentor in our Detroit office. Celena passed away in September 2014.
 
She is remembered as a voice for families who didn’t have a voice, mentoring and inspiring families to become partners in decision making, and cultivating parent and professional partnerships at every level. 
 
For her many contributions, the MICC celebrates her legacy with an award that will be given to a parent/family leader who embodies the characteristics that Celena possessed.

Nominations are due by August 15. The parent selected will be revealed at the Early On Conference in Traverse City in November.
Upcoming Michigan Alliance for Families Events
May 19 IEP: A Closer Look with Stephanie Nicholls 7:00-8:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/23m7nmd5
May 24 Transition Beyond IDEA with Michelle Driscoll 12:00-1:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3wbsja6m

June 1 Putting Your SPIN on Life with Stephanie Nicholls and Stacie Rulison 7:00-8:00pm. ASL interpreter services provided. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2p94skpa
June 8 IEP: A Closer Look with Stephanie Nicholls 1:30-3:00PM. Register at https://tinyurl.com/y6zbskx8

July 12 IEP: A Closer Look with Stephanie Nicholls 10:00AM-11:30AM. Register at https://tinyurl.com/574chm45
July 19 Building Blocks of Self-Advocacy with Stephanie Nicholls 7:00-8:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/s48dx28r
In the News
Registration is open for Her Power, an opportunity for teen girls with disabilities, to be held July 28-31.

Her Power works directly with teen girls with disabilities through a unique, four-day event designed to promote critical thinking about society's messages, eliminate shame, develop leadership skills and encourage self-acceptance.
A new virtual course created by OSE and START provides education for general and special education staff and administrators, including support staff, on the use of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in schools.

Although this course is not available for parents, this professional learning opportunity was developed based on feedback from parents.
Parent Leadership in State Government is offering "Parents Partnering for Change" leadership training.

This training is for parents who are interested in using their voice to help shape services and supports for families across the state.

Registration opens 30 days before the session.
May 23 - 25
June 21 - 23
July 13 - 15

Questions can be directed to: [email protected]
Registration is open for the Arc Michigan annual Disability Policy Webinar Series.

Learn about the latest disability policy issues in Michigan and at the federal level. Sessions are Friday mornings in June, 10-11:30am.
Have a special education question?
Ask us! 1-800-552-4821
En Español 313-217-1060
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.