Michigan Alliance for Families Offers Various FREE Learning Opportunities for December

Join Michigan Alliance for Families for a FREE webinar workshops for families of children with disabilities, youth with disabilities, and those who support them. If you need accommodations, please let us know at least two weeks before the event. Who should attend? Families with a child with a suspected disability or learning challenge, school staff, other community members.

Dec. 4th-Section 504@School: What Parents Need to Know with Michelle Driscoll & Stephanie Nicholls:  Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability - this includes students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). For students with a disability who are not eligible for an IEP, a 504 plan provides equal access to the general education curriculum. Please join us for this free webinar if you have 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?

Dec. 5th-Math for All: Supporting Your Child with Disabilities in Math with Rachel Tabron:  Supporting your child in math can feel overwhelming for any parents, including parents of students with disabilities. This webinar aims to provide families with an understanding of math practices for students with disabilities and offer practical strategies they can use to support their child's mathematical learning. During this workshop we will: • learn about evidence-informed practices that make math accessible to all students • discover strategies and techniques to support a child's mathematical learning • increase confidence in your ability to support and advocate for your child's mathematical learning.

Dec. 6th & 13th-Behavior is Communication (two part webinar) with Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle:  Join us for a two-part webinar to help us learn that ALL behavior is communication. A child’s problematic or inappropriate behavior is a sign that something is not right. The child needs support, not punishment. This online workshop will help you determine what the child is saying with their behavior and how to substitute a more acceptable way to communicate that message.

Dec.11th-Disability is Not a Bad Word with Stephanie Nicholls:  Can we embrace the word “disability” as an aspect of identity? In this workshop we will explore how society views disability and how that impacts people with disabilities across the lifespan. We will take a closer look at bias against people with disabilities and what we can do as individuals to address ableism.

Dec. 11th- Tools for Supported Decision-Making with Mary Shehan:  Every person has the right to make life decisions, to direct their life, and to be treated with dignity. Multiple avenues are available to support individuals to make decisions and direct their own life. We will discuss a variety of tools that can be used to support people in decision-making while retaining their rights. Join Mary Shehan to dive into tools that can be used to address concerns people have about young adults’ decision-making. This will be hands-on learning with tools you can start using today. As we move through an example scenario you can test the tools for yourself or your loved one. · Gain a basic understanding of Supported Decision-Making · Understand the impacts of guardianship and the benefits Supported Decision-Making · Explore tools that can be used to support decision-making. · Discuss how to integrate Support Decision-Making ideas into the IEP.

Dec. 12th-Collaborative Communication in Special Education with Rebecca Kozlow:  Join us in this session to learn more about how Special Education Mediation Services’ (SEMS) facilitation and mediation services can support collaborative conversations to help build a foundation for student achievement. Discover: · Who is SEMS and what do they offer? · What is mediation and facilitation? Is there a difference? · How do I know which to ask for? · How can those benefit me and my child? · How does mediation and facilitation fit in with IDEA dispute resolution options? · How do I request mediation or facilitation?

Dec. 16th-Moving On from Early On®:  Your baby or toddler with a disability or developmental delay qualified for Early On services. What do you need to consider when preparing to exit Early On? This workshop explores the five things you need to consider as your child approaches the end of their Early On services. · Inclusive high-quality early childhood programs · Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) · Timelines · Transition Planning & Conference · Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

Dec.17th-IEP: A Closer Look with Andrea Beachnau:  This workshop takes a closer look at the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. This workshop will help you: • take a more in depth look at the core areas of the IEP • prioritize your greatest concerns • learn how to address those concerns through the IEP process • improve your ability to have productive conversations There will also be time set aside to ask questions.

Dec. 18th- Growing Up with Self-Determination with Karen Wang:  Youth with disabilities have strengths and are able to make decisions that are important to them. Families can enable and empower youth to communicate their strengths and needs. In this workshop, families and youth can learn about: • What Self-Determination is • How to teach Self-Determination from an early age • Specific activities that help youth with decision-making skills • Where to find information about decision-making skills • How youth with disabilities can bring their ideas into IEP meetings.