Michigan Alliance for Families

Michigan Alliance for Families Michigan Alliance for Families and Michigan Alliance - PTI provides information, support and education Michigan Alliance for Families is a moderated page.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
Michigan Alliance for Families (MAF) will use its Facebook (FB) page and any other social media siteS to connect with and inform parents and other interested parties about our organization. We encourage all MAF supporters to be involved in online tools such as Facebook, which can promote MAF, connect people with the information and resources that they need and positively impact the lives of families of children receiving special education services. Your use of MAF social media sites is acceptance of this Policy and has the same effect as if you had actually physically signed an agreement. If you do not agree to the terms of this Policy, you may not view or post any content to any MAF Social Media site. As a guest posting content to any MAF social media sites, you agree that you will not:
violate any local, state, federal and international laws and regulations, including but not limited to copyright and intellectual property rights laws regarding any content that you post;
transmit any material (by uploading, posting, email or otherwise) that is unlawful, disruptive, threatening, profane, abusive, harassing, embarrassing, tortuous, defamatory, obscene, libelous, or is an invasion of another's privacy,
make comments about a person or groups’ culture, race, ethnicity or disability that is hateful or objectionable as solely determined by MAF;
impersonate any person or entity or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity;
transmit (by uploading, posting, email or otherwise) any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, or promotional materials about a product or Web site
post any content that may be construed as political lobbying, solicitations or endorsements. MAF reserves the right, in its discretion, to restrict or remove any content that violates these policies or any applicable law or revoke a user’s privilege to post on its page. All comments, visuals, videos and any other type of material posted by guests on MAF social media sites do not necessarily represent the views of The Arc Michigan, MAF, or their employees or affiliates. MAF assumes no legal responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information posted by guests. To protect your privacy, never post personal contact information on a social media site. If you need to reach MAF, call the main number at 1-800-552-4821 or send an email to info@michiganallianceforfamilies.org

MAF reserves the right to report any comments that imply harm or imminent danger to yourself or others. By submitting a comment for posting, you accept that MAF has the right to contact the appropriate authorities to report any suspicious activities, threats, or behaviors. By posting on this site, you are granting permission to MAF to reproduce, distribute, publish, display such content and the right to create derivative works from your content, edit or modify such content and use such content for any purpose. MAF reserves the right, but undertakes no duty, to review, edit, move, or delete any material submitted as a comment to information posted on its social media sites without notice. MAF reserves the right to edit comments for grammatical purposes. This policy may be updated at any time without notice, and each time you access a MAF social media site, the new policy will govern, usage, effective upon posting.

Throughout the year, get to know our team members who use their lived experience navigating special education to support...
02/05/2026

Throughout the year, get to know our team members who use their lived experience navigating special education to support families across Michigan every day as we celebrate twenty years of special education mentoring.

Say hello to Esmina Hamzagic, Parent Mentor for Central Western Kent County!

As a parent herself, she brings empathy and real-life understanding that resonates deeply with the families she serves. Through consistent outreach and a strong presence in the community, she builds trust and awareness while making a meaningful, lasting difference for families.


Teens, young adults, and their families are invited to join us for two Saturday morning webinars in February!Middle and ...
02/03/2026

Teens, young adults, and their families are invited to join us for two Saturday morning webinars in February!

Middle and high school students with an IEP (and their family) are invited to join us for a series of online workshops to explore transition to adulthood topics.

❄️ Saturday February 7 - Transition: What You Need to Know with Karen Wang
Learn how to use the IEP transition plan along with community resources to plan a smooth transition from school to adulthood. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3fjdktr9

❄️ Wednesday February 18 - Planning for a Good Life Using Charting the LifeCourse Tools with Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council
Explore practical tools to promote a person-centered approach that empowers individuals to pursue their vision for a good life. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yc7x9paa

❄️Saturday February 21- Transition Beyond IDEA with Karen Wang
An overview of community resources to assist with the transition from school to adult life. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ycxbhar5
Visit our website calendar for full details, share-able flyers, and easy registration https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/

Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination against indi...
02/03/2026

Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Students are protected in their access to academics, social engagement, extracurriculars, sports, events, and other school-sponsored activities. Students who might not qualify for an IEP may be covered by Section 504.

Find answers to questions like:
❓ How do I get a 504 Plan?
❓ What is the difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP?
❓ What could supports and services look like?
❓ What are my rights?

Section 504 @ School: What Parents Need to Know
February 24 @ noon
Register at https://tinyurl.com/46ybf6c7

Find more online learning opportunities on our website calendar https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/

If there is a disagreement regarding the education of students with disabilities, there are several dispute resolution o...
02/02/2026

If there is a disagreement regarding the education of students with disabilities, there are several dispute resolution options available.

Join us on Wednesday February 4 at noon to learn when and why a parent might want to file a special education state complaint, how the process works, and what other dispute resolution options are available. Register at https://tinyurl.com/42tcjk4s

Continue learning about dispute resolution options on Wednesday February 11 at noon with a webinar on Due Process Complaint and Hearing. Register at https://tinyurl.com/39uz3phy

For full details, easy registration, and more events at https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/

Our February calendar is full of online learning opportunities. Come join us!February 1-28 Applications accepted for LIP...
02/02/2026

Our February calendar is full of online learning opportunities. Come join us!

February 1-28 Applications accepted for LIPA (Leaders in Policy Advocacy). Information at https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/lipa/

February 4 Special Education State Complaints with Michelle Driscoll from 12:00pm–1:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/42tcjk4s

February 5 Early Intervention and IFSPs: A Closer Look with Kelsey Biswanger from 9:30am–11:00am. Register at https://tinyurl.com/375udkpu

February 5 How to Build Trusting Relationships with SEMS from 4:30pm–6:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/69ym54n5

February 7 Transition: What You Need to Know with Karen Wang from 9:30am–11:30am. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3fjdktr9

February 9 IEP: A Closer Look with Stephanie Nicholls at 12:00pm–1:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4b6emncr

February 10 Understanding Personal Curriculum and Graduation with Rashell Bowerman, Michigan Department of Education from 12:00pm–2:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/bdz9xma5

February 11 Due Process Complaint and Hearing with Michelle Driscoll from 12:00pm–1:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/39uz3phy

February 12 Navigating Early Childhood Special Education- Preschool with Kelsey Biswanger from 9:30am–10:30am. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yck567e8

February 12 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with Stephanie Nicholls from 12:00pm–1:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/bdxjkf6f

February 18 Planning for a Good Life Using Charting the LifeCourse Tools with Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council from 4:30pm-6:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yc7x9paa

February 19 From Puzzled to Prepared: Present Level for Preschool with Kelsey Biswanger from 9:30am–10:30am. Register at https://tinyurl.com/26yk9mxp

February 20 Intro to AAC & Resources with Michigan Disability Right Coalition from 12:00pm–1:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/38mhr6vr

February 21 Transition: Beyond IDEA with Karen Wang from 9:30am–11:30am. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ycxbhar5

February 24 Section 504 @ School What Parents Need to Know with Michelle Driscoll & Stephanie Nicholls from 12:00pm–1:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/46ybf6c7

February 25 Supporting AAC @ Home with Alt+Shift from 12:00pm–1:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yz2xwxp7

February 26 Building Parent Leadership Skills in Early Childhood with Kelsey Biswanger and Stephanie Nicholls. Four Thursdays from 9:30am–10:30am. Register at https://tinyurl.com/BPLspring2026

Visit our calendar of events for full details, easy registration, and events through the end of the school year! https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/

Parents or guardians of children ages 3–5 with disabilities in Michigan to share their experiences with early childhood ...
02/01/2026

Parents or guardians of children ages 3–5 with disabilities in Michigan to share their experiences with early childhood special education (ECSE) services by completing a brief, confidential survey. Your voice matters! Please see the attached flyer for details and a link to participate.

We invite parents or guardians of children ages 3–5 with disabilities in Michigan to share their experiences with early childhood special education (ECSE) services by completing a brief, confidential survey. Your voice matters! Please see the attached flyer for details and a link to participate.

The Leaders in Policy Advocacy (LIPA) 2026 program is now accepting applications! LIPA is a six-month leadership program...
02/01/2026

The Leaders in Policy Advocacy (LIPA) 2026 program is now accepting applications!

LIPA is a six-month leadership program for adults with developmental disabilities and parents of minor children with developmental disabilities who want to better understand how systems work, learn how to influence change, and strengthen their advocacy skills.

LIPA helps participants move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling prepared and informed. Through hands-on learning, participants gain practical skills to understand policy, navigate systems, engage with decision-makers, and share their lived experiences clearly and effectively. As well as building a supportive community where participants learn alongside others who care about belonging, access, and making real change together.

💻Full details at https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/lipa/
🔗Apply at https://tinyurl.com/2026LIPA

Applications for this year’s program will be accepted February 1–28, 2026, with accepted participants being notified in early March.

Children explore the world through play, figuring out how things work and how people think, feel, and act in different s...
01/31/2026

Children explore the world through play, figuring out how things work and how people think, feel, and act in different situations. Play also provides lots of practice in using language, telling stories, and solving problems.

Toys that spark your little one’s imagination don’t need to cost a lot. In fact, you may already have some of the tried-and-true classics on hand --> https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/5-ways-to-play-with-a-cardboard-box/

📢Calling all teens and young adults with an IEP, and their families! 📅Plan to join us for two Saturday mornings in Febru...
01/31/2026

📢Calling all teens and young adults with an IEP, and their families!
📅Plan to join us for two Saturday mornings in February!

📌Saturday, February 7 at 9:30AM - Transition: What You Need to Know with Karen Wang
Learn how to use the IEP transition plan along with community resources to plan a smooth transition from school to adulthood. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3fjdktr9

📌Saturday, February 21 at 9:30AM - Transition Beyond IDEA with Karen Wang
An overview of community resources to assist with the transition from school to adult life. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ycxbhar5

Full details and more learning opportunities on our website at https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/

Dealing with discipline issues?Is your child being sent home from school or removed from the classroom?Has your teen bee...
01/30/2026

Dealing with discipline issues?
Is your child being sent home from school or removed from the classroom?
Has your teen been suspended from school?

When challenging behavior interferes with the learning process, it has to be addressed. Special education law allows for a Functional Behavior Assessment to determine why the behavior is happening. This evaluation data is used to develop a Behavior Intervention Plan. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports are the proactive, positive tools to teach and support positive behavior skills.

📌Two opportunities to join us for a free webinar on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports:
February 12 at noon, register at https://tinyurl.com/bdxjkf6f
April 6 at 6:30PM, register at https://tinyurl.com/m8a2fpbp

If a student breaks a rule at school, state law limits the ways the student may be disciplined. Students with a disability have further protections under state and federal laws that guarantee their right to receive a free appropriate public education.

📌Discipline Protections for Students with Disabilities
March 4 at 9:30AM, register at https://tinyurl.com/2v3rhvn4

📌Registration is also open for a two-part Behavior is Communication webinar on Friday April 17 & 24 at 1PM. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2by7bcpx

See our full calendar at https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/

Full details, easy registration, and more learning opportunities on our website https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/

Whether you're just learning about IEP or if you've been to ten IEP meetings - we'd love to have you join us to learn ho...
01/30/2026

Whether you're just learning about IEP or if you've been to ten IEP meetings - we'd love to have you join us to learn how the parts work together and how to be a valuable member of the team.

Gain a better understanding of your child's IEP by taking a closer look at the core areas and how they build on each other. Learn to use the IEP process to address your concerns. Time is set aside to ask your questions.

💜 Monday February 9 at 12pm
with Stephanie Nicholls
https://tinyurl.com/4b6emncr

🌱 Tuesday March 10 at 9:30am
with Stephanie Nicholls
https://tinyurl.com/ztavbuh4

☔Tuesday April 14 at 12pm
with Andrea Beachnau
https://tinyurl.com/bdfm9s6u

This webinar is offered monthly this schoolyear, scheduled at different times of day to meet the needs of parents.
Full details on our full calendar at https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/

Address

1325 S Washington Avenue
Lansing, MI
48910

Telephone

+18005524821

Website

http://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events

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