Michigan Alliance for Families Offers Various FREE Learning Opportunities for January

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.

Jan. 13th-Transition: What You Need to Know with Karen Wang:  This workshop will teach participants how the IEP transition plan can be used along with community resources to plan a smooth transition from school to adulthood. -Understand the legal requirements of IEP's regarding transition planning and why it's important. -Understand the different parts of your student's transition plan. -Learn about options for life after school. -Access community resources for adult life.

Jan. 14th-Youth Self Determination Series 1, 4-week series for teens with an IEP on Tuesdays from 4:30pm-5:30pm. Limited space, pre-registration required.

Jan.14th-Special Education Evaluation and Eligibility with Michelle Driscoll:  Evaluation is the first step in the special education process to determine if a student qualifies to receive special education services. This free, online workshop will explain when and why a parent might seek an evaluation. · how to request a comprehensive evaluation · understand the purpose of the evaluation process · explain eligibility criteria · review of timelines We’ll cover important terms parents need to know, like REED, Notice, and IEE, as well as parent’s rights during the evaluation process.

Jan.15th-Positive Behavioral Inventions and Supports (PBIS) with Stephanie Nicholls:  When a child with a disability demonstrates behavior that impedes their learning or the learning of others, appropriate behavioral supports may be needed to ensure a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). November 6 - Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support Overview Does your child have challenging behaviors at school? Come learn about services provided through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) to teach and support positive behaviors at school. Join us to learn: · What a Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA) is and how to request one · How an FBA leads to the development of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) · How to make sure the BIP utilizes Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) · What to do if the plan isn’t working.

Jan.16th-How to Prepare for and Participate in Mediation of Facilitation with Beth Kohler, Taryn Francis, and Rebecca Kozlow:  Many disputes can be addressed early with better communication, which can lead to better outcomes for kids. Join Special Education Mediation Services (SEMS) to learn more about the expectations for parents when preparing for a facilitated meeting or mediation. Explore the process in-detail, including: • An overview of Special Education facilitation and mediation • What each party needs to prepare and plan for the IEP and other meetings • What each side should bring to the table • Tools to support communication • Options for next steps • How services can be utilized in the more formal dispute resolution processes.

Jan.21st-IEP Course – a five week series for parents of students with an IEP.  Tuesdays from 9:30am-11:00am. Registration open January 3-10, or closed once full.

Jan.22nd-FAPE in the LRE with Stephanie Nicholls: Students with a disability are entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). This free, online workshop will dive into these two foundational concepts in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and how they apply to your child. Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) must be provided by schools to eligible students through programs and services to meet the student’s unique needs and provide educational benefit. Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is the setting where a child with a disability can receive an appropriate education designed to meet his or her educational needs, alongside peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate.

Jan.23rd-Collaborating on Transition with Karen Wang: As youth with disabilities move through school, we need to think about what comes next. Transition is the individualized action plan that addresses the skills, programs, and opportunities needed for the student to be successful after their school career ends. This online workshop covers the requirements of IEP transition planning. Successful collaboration is key to supporting students with disabilities transition to adulthood. • Find out the differences between a transition IEP and a pre-transition IEP • Explore the student’s important role in their transition IEP • Learn how the IEP prepares the student for life after school • How to craft an IEP that accurately reflects a student’s transition strengths, preferences, interests, and needs.

Jan.24th-IFSP: A Closer Look: This workshop takes a closer look at the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process for babies and toddlers in Michigan. This workshop will help you: • take a more in depth look at the IFSP • prioritize your greatest concerns • learn how to address those concerns • improve your ability to have productive conversations There will also be time set aside to ask questions.

Jan.29th-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. Who should attend? Families with a child or young adult with disabilities or learning challenges, school staff, other community members.

Jan.30th-Rethinking Discipline with Amy Wilhelm:  All students have basic due process rights to notice and an opportunity to be heard when accused of misbehavior. Students with disabilities have additional protections. Dealing with discipline issues? Join Student Advocacy Center of Michigan online to learn about current Michigan school discipline laws and your student's rights. • What does Michigan school discipline law require? • What protections does your student have? • What is the difference between a suspension and expulsion? • What are the seven factors that must be considered before any suspension or expulsion?

Jan.31st & Feb. 7th-Sensory Processing (two part webinar) with Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle:  People with SPD have difficulty processing sensory information and responding appropriately to that information. SPD are associated with problems in adaptive behavior. Children and adults with sensory processing difficulties can experience impaired self-esteem, anxiety, depression, or aggression. When sensory disorders are looked at as non-compliance and bad behavior resulting in problems with social participation, self-regulation, and impaired sensorimotor skills needed for daily life tasks. Who should attend? Families with a child or young adult with disabilities or learning challenges, school staff, other community members.