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.

Standardized state tests are not the only measurement of a student's potential, but the data gives feedback that can be ...
04/06/2026

Standardized state tests are not the only measurement of a student's potential, but the data gives feedback that can be valuable to students, parents, and teachers.

State assessments provide:
♦ An important snapshot of student achievement at the state, district, and building levels
♦ Valuable information to parents and teachers on their student’s academic achievement
♦ Important data for schools and districts to evaluate curriculum and programming effectiveness
♦ Comparable performance and growth trends over time at the state, district, and building levels

🔗Learn about Michigan's education assessment system here:https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/OEAA/General/MI_Education_Assessment_System.pdf

🔗Find more on standardized assessments on our Michigan Alliance for Families website: https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/statewide-assessment/

Hop on over to our website and get registered!
04/05/2026

Hop on over to our website and get registered!

Statewide Autism Resources & Training (START) is offering a limited number of scholarships to Michigan family members of...
04/04/2026

Statewide Autism Resources & Training (START) is offering a limited number of scholarships to Michigan family members of a person with a disability, to cover the cost of registration for the 25th Annual START Conference on May 4, 2026!

Visit their website for more information: https://gvsu.edu/s/31Y

START is pleased to offer a scholarship to Michigan family members of a person with a disability, to cover the cost of registration for the 25th Annual START Conference on May 4, 2026!

Please note: the number of scholarships is limited, so we encourage you to apply soon.

Visit our website for more information: https://gvsu.edu/s/31Y

[Image description: A parent and two young children smiling. Text reads “Family scholarship” with the START logo in the bottom left corner.]

At Michigan Alliance for Families we want to make sure families know the power of high expectations. Pictured here is Sa...
04/03/2026

At Michigan Alliance for Families we want to make sure families know the power of high expectations.

Pictured here is Sandee Koski presenting "A Future That Includes Employment" back in 2020.

Now, you can attend "Transition: Employment Expectations" with Karen Wang on April 23 from 5:30pm–7:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3nh3uttu
We can help you create a vision plan for future employment, and also explain employment supports available to people with disabilities as they transition from special education into adulthood.

Together, we can create a more inclusive Michigan for all.
04/03/2026

Together, we can create a more inclusive Michigan for all.

Today is Autism Awareness Day, when we celebrate the strengths and perspectives of Michiganders on the autism spectrum. Today, this month, and always, we commit to listen, learn, and build spaces where everyone can thrive. Together, we can create a more inclusive Michigan for all.

Introducing 30 Days, 30 AT Ways! All month long, our friends and partners will be highlighting how assistive technology ...
04/02/2026

Introducing 30 Days, 30 AT Ways! All month long, our friends and partners will be highlighting how assistive technology helps people across Michigan live, learn, work, and participate more independently.

Follow them for daily tools, tips, and resources that support independence, accessibility, and opportunity.

The Arc Michigan
Disability Rights Michigan
Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council
Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute
Michigan Assistive Technology Program

Play is the work of the child.Play is how young children explore the world, develop skills, and connect with others.💡Did...
04/02/2026

Play is the work of the child.
Play is how young children explore the world, develop skills, and connect with others.

💡Did you know that from birth to around 4 years old, there are six key stages of play children move through?

The 6 Stages of Play: Birth to 4 Years

Play is how young children explore the world, develop skills, and connect with others.

From birth to around 4 years old, children move through six key stages of play.

Unoccupied play is the earliest stage—infants may wave arms, kick, or focus on a single object without interacting with others.

Solitary play happens when toddlers play alone, fully absorbed in their own activities, building focus and independence.

Spectator or onlooker behavior appears when children watch others play, learning social cues, rules, and ideas from a safe distance.

Parallel play is next—children play alongside peers, sometimes using similar toys, but without directly interacting.

Associate play emerges as toddlers start interacting, sharing materials, and exchanging ideas, though play may not be fully coordinated.

Cooperative play is the most advanced stage—children work together, negotiate roles, and create shared goals in imaginative play.

These stages overlap and develop at different rates for each child, and all are valuable for learning.

Understanding these stages helps caregivers support social, emotional, and cognitive growth.

Encouraging each stage fosters creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Play is more than fun—it’s a roadmap for developing the whole child, one stage at a time.



Pathways.org

🤣No joke! Our calendar is full of learning opportunities. ☔⛅Register today to join us online in April, rain or shine!Apr...
04/01/2026

🤣No joke! Our calendar is full of learning opportunities.
☔⛅Register today to join us online in April, rain or shine!

April 6 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with Stephanie Nicholls from 6:30pm–8:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/m8a2fpbp

April 8 Parent Advisory Committee: Best Practices with Stephanie Nicholls from 4:30pm–5:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/PACspring2026

May 5 Empowered Parent IEP Course - three Tuesdays from 9:30am–11:30am. Registration open 4/8 to 4/20 (or when full).

April 9 Transition: What You Need to Know with Karen Wang from 5:30pm–7:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/227786t7

April 13 Understanding Personal Curriculum and Graduation with Rashell Bowerman, Michigan Department of Education from 11:00am–1:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/9d394r9c

May 14 Youth Self-Determination Course - four Thursdays from 5:30pm–6:30pm. Registration open 4/13 to 5/12 (or when full).

April 14 IEP: A Closer Look with Andrea Beachnau from 12:00pm–1:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/bdfm9s6u

April 16 Collaborating on Transition with Karen Wang from 5:30pm–7:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/msurn96v

April 17 Behavior is Communication (Part 1) with Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle, Ed.D from 1:00pm–2:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2by7bcpx

April 22 Supporting Student Mental Health with ACMH from 4:30pm–6:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2h9ymupd

April 23 Transition: Employment Expectations with Karen Wang from 5:30pm–7:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3nh3uttu

April 24 Behavior is Communication (Part 2) with Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle, Ed.D from 1:00pm–2:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2by7bcpx

April 30 Transition: Beyond IDEA with Karen Wang from 5:30pm–7:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yc7mkwp2

🔗Visit our website calendar for full details https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/

The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs is offering a free webinar. Learning Connections...
03/31/2026

The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs is offering a free webinar. Learning Connections Planning for the Future: The Essentials of Special Health Care Needs Planning is offered twice on April 15, 2026.

Basic estate planning isn't enough when your child has additional needs. It is important to preserve government benefits, ensure quality of care, and have the right people to step in when you can't. Join attorney Sarah Fitzpatrick as she presents information on wills, trusts, and guardianship for families of children with special health care need.

Two times are available to accommodate family schedules.
🕙10AM session https://redcap.link/Future-AM
🕖7PM session https://redcap.link/Future-PM

Questions should be directed to CSHCS Family Phone line at 800-359-3711.

Dealing with discipline issues?Is your child being sent home from school or removed from the classroom?Has your teen bee...
03/30/2026

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

Join us next Monday, April 6 at 6:30PM for a webinar on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. Register at https://tinyurl.com/m8a2fpbp

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.

Then come back on April 17 & 24 at 1PM for Behavior is Communication with Sally Burton-Hoyle. Register now at https://tinyurl.com/2by7bcpx

All behavior is communication. We know that individuals with disabilities who exhibit unacceptable behavior do so for a specific reason.

Every behavior serves a function for the person. The behavior we see, is just the tip of the iceberg. When we understand the function of the behavior, we can teach an alternative appropriate behavior to meet that need.

This two-part virtual workshop that can help you determine what they are saying with their behavior and how to substitute a more acceptable way to communicate that message.

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

To prepare for the online Parent Advisory Committee workshop offered in April, we invite you to watch this video. Learn ...
03/29/2026

To prepare for the online Parent Advisory Committee workshop offered in April, we invite you to watch this video. Learn more about the important role of PACs, as well as responsibilities and opportunities for your PAC.

The Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education requires all Intermediate School District boards to appoint a Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). Loca...

Springtime self-care 🦋
03/28/2026

Springtime self-care 🦋

Some ideas for taking care of yourself this season. 🦋

Address

1325 S Washington Avenue
Lansing, MI
48910

Telephone

+18005524821

Website

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Michigan Alliance for Families posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Michigan Alliance for Families:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram