With heavy hearts, we have decided to close our Beyond Bones initiative after 3.5 amazing years of inclusion and empowerment. Please visit the Beyond Bones news section for additional details. The last day to place online orders will be Jan. 31.
Special Education
The Arc of Allegan County partners with Michigan Alliance for Families (MAF) to provide information, support, and education for families of children (birth through age 26) who receive or may be eligible to receive special education services.
The educational advocacy program assists families in guiding and supporting them through the special education process as a bridge between education staff and families.
Education Advocacy Program
The program enables families to:
- Connect with 1:1 support from a local mentor to address the families’ needs.
- Access electronic and printed resource information and referrals to local community resources.
Advocates provided by the MAF have first-hand experience navigating the special education system as parents or close family members of children who have or are navigating the system.
These individuals:
- Educate families on the proper processes to avoid breakdowns in communication to ensure that the child’s needs are met using referrals, recommendations, resources, materials, and meetings when necessary.
- Listen to concerns from families and schools, create agendas for meetings, facilitate discussion between school staff and families, promote positive problem solving, bring best practices to the table, and aim to assist families and schools in keeping open communication that puts the student’s need at the center of every conversation.
Do you need help navigating resources for an individual with an IDD?
Join us as a volunteer!
To Request an Advocate
Obtaining special education assistance from The Arc requires connecting with our partner, Michigan Alliance for Families.
Step 1:
Interested parents, educators, and/or guardians contact Michigan Alliance for Families at 1.800.552.4821 to request support from a Parent Mentor.
Step 2:
Michigan Alliance will connect you to our region’s Parent Mentor.
Step 3:
You will receive support and education regarding special education services from MAF’s parent mentor.
If it is determined that an Educational Advocate will be needed, the Parent Mentor will notify The Arc of Allegan County and an advocate will be assigned.
Many other resources are available to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their caregivers.
