Family Resource Guide

Great Start to Readiness Program: Free preschool to 4 year olds that qualify and reside in Kent County. Contact GSRP at 616-447-2409.

Early On Michigan: Provides developmental evaluations and in-home early interventions for children with developmental delays and medical conditions. Services babies to 3 year olds.  Contact Early On at  616-365-2310 or make an online referral.

Bright Beginnings: Provides parents with skills and tools they need to be their child's first and best teacher, serving children from birth to Kindergarten with home visits, play groups and free screenings.  Bright Beginnings is a Blue Ribbon affiliate of the Parents as Teachers program, which promotes the early development, learning, and health of young children by supporting and engaging their parents and caregivers.

• Calendar of Events

• Parents as Teachers Information

Great Start to Quality: Assists families in finding the right childcare for them. Also provides resources, support and professional development to childcare providers.   You can contact GSP at 616-447-5678 or email kentresourcecenter@kentisd.org.

Help Me Grow: Connects parents of children age 0-5 with childcare providers, health services, child development screenings and more.  Help Me Grow can be contacted at 616-742-8903 or you can refer a child online.

Kent ISD Early Childhood Center: Provides quality specialized preschool instruction to students age 3-5 with developmental needs. Areas include; social/emotional, early language/literacy and adaptive behavior. Contact the ECC at 616-254-5403.

Family Futures: Provides resources to support parents through coaching, developmental screenings, education, home visiting and prevention-based programming for children 0-5. Contact Family Futures at 616-454-4673.

Pathways: Free online resources for children 0-6 years old to help understand, track, and encourage your baby’s milestones for the best practice outcomes.

Zero to Three: Provides free online resources for children ages 0-3 to help ensure all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life.

Build Up Learning Support for Preschoolers: helps parents and their children, ages 3 through 5, get additional educational support as they begin and continue to learn the skills needed to enter kindergarten. Contact at 1-888-320-8384.

Eligibility and Service Delivery Policies: The Difference between home-based and preschool special education services: This document provides a snapshot overview of IDEA Part C and IDEA Part B policies.

First Steps Kent/Ready by Five: The Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage provides dedicated and sustainable funding for programs that improve the health, school readiness, and well-being of children under age five. It allows more children and families from across the community to participate in programs that are proven to increase their likelihood of success in school and beyond.

GRCC Play and Learn Groups: Play and Learn GRCC is a collaborative, community-based partnership to enrich the quality early learning experiences of young children by strengthening the skills of early childhood caregivers and educators. 

Creating a Smooth Transition from Elementary to Middle School: Transitioning a student from elementary school to middle school can be a challenging task and emotionally charged time. When an IEP comes into play, there can be even more challenges as the expectations for greater independence are given by the school, but parents are used to the more intensive approach in the elementary grades. The tips, tricks, and insights below may help make that transition a bit easier for all involved.

Making the Move from Elementary to Middle School: Transition tips for parents of students with a disability.

Kent ISD Transition Process: All students leave school to create their adult lives. "Transition" describes that critical transformation, and includes the education, legal information, planning, and community connections our special education students need in order to achieve those adult goals. The transition process prepares students with disabilities for adult life by focusing on the specific areas of post-secondary education, employment, community participation, and when appropriate, independent living skills.  Contact the transition office at: 616-365-2299.

Transition Webinar from Michigan Alliance for Families: This workshop explains how the IEP transition plan can be used along with community resources to make a smooth transition from school to adulthood. This workshop will help you:

• Understand the legal requirements of IEPs 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 

Think College: Think College is dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving research and practice in inclusive higher education for students with intellectual disability.

Transitions to consider as your child nears 18 years old, the age of majority: document outlining age of majority, MAJOR programs/services to consider, SSI/Disability, Adult home help, Community Mental Health Services.

Kent ISD-Community Agency Information: This page contains a multitude of resources for those transitioning into adulthood.

Transition to Adult Topics: The Michigan Alliance for Families provides resources to help caregivers understand the process of transitioning to adulthood.

MDE-Transition Planning Fact Sheet: Family Matters through the Michigan Department of Education provides a “Fact Sheet” to show considerations for students with disabilities and their families.

OASIS Community of West Michigan: This is a family-led, non-profit organization that empowers individuals with physical, developmental, and/or intellectual disabilities to create sustainable housing alternatives, social connections and live full lives. 

National Center on Secondary Education and Transition: The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) was established to create opportunities for youth with disabilities to achieve successful futures. 

Community Living Services: Kent County Division: Independent Supports Coordination of Kent County promotes community inclusion, full citizenship, personal empowerment, and a self-determined life for people with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities.

Beyond26: Beyond26 supports adults with disabilities in finding employment through individualized advocacy and networking. We do this by reaching out to local businesses, finding volunteer opportunities, and growing our community.

Michigan Rehabilitation Services: We are a statewide network of vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals developing creative, customized solutions that meet the needs of individuals and business. We deliver individualized services that assist potential employees with differing abilities to prepare for, pursue and retain careers. We partner with business in employee development, business consulting and corporate relations. We are committed to building the workforce of tomorrow... today. 

Mission: Develop customized workforce solutions for businesses and individuals with disabilities.
Vision: A diverse and inclusive workforce that unites businesses and individuals with disabilities toward a common good.

Beyond26: Beyond26 bridges the gap between local businesses and a community of  jobseekers through networking and advocacy. Learn how you can help find jobs for Adults with disabilities!

I'm Determined: The I’m Determined project, a state-directed project funded by the Virginia Department of Education, focuses on providing direct instruction, models, and opportunities to practice skills associated with self-determined behavior. This project facilitates youth, especially those with disabilities to undertake a measure of control in their lives, helping to set and steer the course rather than remaining the silent passenger.

Much of our work comes from research around three psychological needs: Competence, Autonomy, and Relatedness (CAR). We have found that when a person can experience high levels of CAR, it opens up greater opportunities to experience high levels of self-determination and well-being.

Alternatives to Guardianship: Provides alternatives to guardianship, including those that are most restrictive to those that are least restrictive.

Guardianship Process: Outlines the process for individuals with developmental disabilities including what parties involved in the process can and will do and resources available.

Legal Assistance with Guardianship: A comprehensive list of some of the legal assistance ideas for guardianship, power of attorney, Wills and Trusts.

Supported Decision Making in Michigan: Supported Decision-Making is a tool people can use to make decisions with support from family, friends and other allies.

CHARTING the Life Course-Exploring Decision Making Supports Form: This tool was designed to assist individuals and supporters with exploring decision making support needs for each life domain.

Guidance and Support with Social Security Disability Income: The Supplemental Security Income, SSI, program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. To learn more visit the Social Security Website. 

Guardianship Alternatives Information Network, or GAIN : GAIN exists to help people with disabilities and their families make a good, informed decision about guardianship and its alternatives. There are many alternatives to guardianship. The primary one is the use of family and friends who are involved in the person’s life. If someone can get the support and services they need and want with the help of family and friends, there is no need for guardianship.

MDE-Supported Decision Making: Supported Decision-Making is an approach that encourages individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) to make their own life decisions with support from family, friends, and trusted individuals. 

The Arc: The mission of The Arc Michigan is to ensure that people with Developmental Disabilities are valued in order that they and their families can participate fully in and contribute to their community.

Michigan Alliance for Families: Michigan Alliance for Families is a statewide resource to connect families of children with disabilities to resources to help improve their children’s education. We help facilitate parent involvement as a means of improving educational services and outcomes for students with disabilities.

Michigan Department of Education-Parent Resources: The Office of Special Education (OSE) is committed to providing support and resources for families with a child with a disability. The information found on this website will help you find different special education topics and resources on the OSE website. The MDE also has an information line for questions related to special education; 1-888-320-8384

National Parent Teacher Association-Special Education Guide: An online resource provided by the National PTA, which is an organization that works alongside school communities and decision makers. It is a network of millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in school.

Easter Seals of Michigan: Easter Seals mission is to lead the way to 100% equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities, families, and communities. We value individuals for their different talents, backgrounds, identities, cultures, experiences, and abilities, and are committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that encourages and values diversity where respect, appreciation, equality, and inclusion are core values. Grand Rapids Location: 4065 East Hills Court SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Phone: (616)942-2081.

Exceptional Children's Assistance Center: A child with special needs is not the only family member to need support. As a parent or caregiver, it can be challenging understanding a diagnosis, knowing where to start for services or feeling like you’ve been heard when it comes to your child’s care and education.

Disability Network Southwest Michigan: Our Vision is a community that values disability as human diversity, free of attitudinal barriers, where all people benefit with full access and inclusion. We educate and connect people with disabilities to resources while advocating social change.

Family Support Subsidy Program: The intent of this program is to help make it possible for children with developmental disabilities to remain with or return to their birth or adoptive families. 

The Progress Center: PROGRESS Center (which stands for Promoting Rigorous Outcomes and Growth by Redesigning Educational Services for Students With Disabilities Center) provides information, resources, tools, and technical assistance services to support local educators and leaders (kindergarten through transition age) in developing and implementing high-quality educational programs that ensure students with disabilities have access to free appropriate public education (FAPE) which allows them to make progress and meet challenging goals, consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District (2017).

Kent County Health Department Children and Family with Special Needs: Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) offers medical care and treatment assistance for children with chronic, severe, disabling health problems; and provides service coordination to meet child and family needs. Check out the website for updates related to parent support groups and events! 

Children's Healing Center: The Children’s Healing Center is the first year-round recreation facility providing social and emotional healing for kids with weakened immune systems and their families in a safe, clean environment.

Sidekicks of West Michigan: Sidekicks of West Michigan offers individuals with and without disabilities the education and tools to gain independence and build friendships through guided adventures in inclusive settings throughout West Michigan. Generally geared towards 7th grade and older.

ASK-Autism Support of Kent County: Autism Support of Kent County (ASK) works to provide services that make it possible for individuals with autism to lead healthier and more productive lives! ASK funds programs, worth over $70,000 annually, for individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.

Autism Society of Michigan: ASM exists because persons with autism spectrum disorder have unique capacities and gifts and we are fortunate to have them in our lives. We believe persons with autism spectrum disorders contribute in unique ways to their families and communities. ASM believes that the best advocacy occurs with education and respect and the presumption of competence of all persons.

Compassionate Awareness Autism Center: The Compassionate Awareness Autism Center (CA2C) is a non-profit organization created to proliferate cultural tolerance and inclusion around autism within social systems. Its aim is to work with the community at-large to create empathy and understanding concerning autism, while deconstructing bias.

Autism Alliance of Michigan: Autism Alliance of Michigan was founded with the vision that people with autism will lead lives that meet their greatest potential. We lead efforts to raise expectations and expand opportunities for people touched by autism across the lifespan.

Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM): The mission of the Association is to be a resource and advocacy organization promoting public awareness and supporting lifelong opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Children and Adults with AD/HD (CHADD): An organization dedicated to providing resources and information regarding both children and adults with AD/HD.

Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Dedicated to assisting those with visual impairments or blindness, we work hard to ensure that our clients can continue to live independently with their remaining vision. 

Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute: The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute (MI-DDI) is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). MI-DDI is part of a network of 67 UCEDDs in the U.S. and its territories. The Institute's mission is to contribute to the development of inclusive communities and quality of life for people with disabilities and their families through a culturally-sensitive, statewide program of training and education, community support and services, research, and sharing of information.

START Project: START Project Mission: To work with schools, community partners, and families to support students with ASD to become active, engaged members of their schools and local communities, and successfully move into adulthood as independent individuals with many choices and opportunities.

Dyslexia Help: Our goal is to help individuals with dyslexia, as well as parents, employers, and professionals of all kinds who have the privilege to work with dyslexics gain new understandings about dyslexia and language disability, including current research findings and how to design intervention contexts based on best practices.

The Center for Childhood Development: The Center is an interdisciplinary assessment and treatment center working with children, birth through adolescence, and their families. Our team of occupational, speech and physical therapists leverage a holistic treatment of child and family that addresses attention, cognition, social-emotional, language-communication, motor/sensory processing, play, and behavior skills.

Conductive Learning Center: The goal of CLC is to provide opportunities for individuals with motor challenges to achieve optimal physical, cognitive, and social independence through the application and promotion of conductive education principles.

Encourage Institute: The EnCourage Institute for Teaching and Learning is a resource and service center for students, parents, teachers, and administrators in the Western Michigan area. We provide specialized learning support through diagnostics, educational therapy, developmental therapy, behavioral therapy, professional development and consultation.

Family Support Subsidy Program-DA Blodgett: The intent of this program is to help make it possible for children with developmental disabilities to remain with or return to their birth or adoptive families. The program provides a monthly payment of $229.31. Families are able to use this money for special expenses incurred while caring for their child.

Network 180: Network180, Kent County Community Mental Health Authority, serves adults, youth and families seeking help with mental health, substance use or intellectual & developmental disabilities. We offer a coordinated, enhanced and more seamless experience to better provide behavioral health care and integrated primary care to community members seeking help.

PACER Center: PACER Center enhances the quality of life and expands opportunities for children, youth, and young adults with all disabilities and their families so each person can reach his or her highest potential. PACER operates on the principles of parents helping parents, supporting families, promoting a safe environment for all children, and working in collaboration with others.

Center for Parent Information and Resources: All the materials found on the CPIR Hub have been created and archived for Parent Centers around the country to help them provide support and services to the families they serve. The CPIR employs a user-centered process, gathering the perspectives of our experienced audience—Parent Center staff members and other experts—every step of the way, to create products and services that increase Parent Centers’ knowledge and capacity in specific domains.

Family Resource Guide: Access up-to-date community resources for families, social service providers, and professionals who work with children and families in Kent County. 

GR Kids: Resources for Children with Disabilities: GR Kids is the premier media source for family life in West Michigan.

Individuals with Disability Act for Parents and Families: The Parents and Families Resource page brings together U.S. Department of Education-funded centers, department programs, and additional information of interest for parents and families.

Children’s Special Health Care Services: Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) is a program within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. It is for children and some adults with special health care needs and their families.

MiABLE: The goal of MiAble is to encourage and assist individuals and families in saving funds that help individuals with disabilities to maintain health, independence and quality of life without jeopardizing benefits provided through private insurance, Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, the beneficiary's employment and other sources.

Michigan Department of Education Disability Resources: On these pages you will find the services and programs for people with disabilities offered by the State of Michigan as well as other sites of interest. 

Sibshops: Sibshops provide young brothers and sisters with peer support and information in a lively, recreational setting.

Kent ISD Parent Advisors for Special Education (PASE): PASE is a parent driven forum to positively impact the educational opportunities for children with special needs through collaboration and dissemination of information.

Family Hope Foundation: This organization's premise is that each child deserves the chance to reach their highest potential. Children with physical, emotional, or developmental needs can succeed if the community nurtures their abilities and creates an atmosphere for success. Family Hope Foundation is unique in the West Michigan region. 

West Michigan CMH: The Family Support Subsidy is a program through the State of Michigan available to help families who care for their children with severe disabilities at home. This program is designed to prevent or delay placement of disabled children outside of the home, allowing families to stay together. 

School Avoidance 101: The School Avoidance Alliance is dedicated to sharing expertise, evidence-based and best practice interventions, school avoidance facts, strategies, and resources, to help kids with chronic school absences & school avoidance get back to learning.

Association for Children's Mental Health: ACMH provides information, support, resources, referral and advocacy for children and youth with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and their families.

National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Kent County Prevention Coalition: The Kent County Prevention Coalition (KCPC), with the assistance of its coordinating agency network180, has brought together 25 member organizations who represent 12 core sectors – youth under the age of 18, parents, businesses, media, schools/universities, youth-serving organizations, law enforcement, religious/fraternal organizations, civic/volunteer organizations, healthcare, and government. This village-like framework has changed community conditions, norms, systems and policies in landmark ways.

Hope Network Mental Health Services: More and more, people are coming around to the idea that mental health matters. And it’s about time. At Hope Network, we’ve been providing mental health services for decades. By using evidence-based therapies, intervention techniques, monitoring progress, and coordinating care with other key service providers, we serve people in ways that most healthcare professionals can’t.

Mary Free Bed Adaptive Sports: Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports is one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States. Every year we offer enriching recreational opportunities to hundreds of people with disabilities of all ages. 

West Michigan Miracle League: The West Michigan Miracle League provides opportunities to kids with physical and cognitive disabilities to play baseball.

Artist Creating Together: Artists Creating Together empowers individuals with disabilities to learn, grow, and celebrate through the arts. By bringing together artists, visual and performing arts, and students with disabilities, we are able to make an impact on the West Michigan community. 

Special Olympics of Michigan: Special Olympics Michigan provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Athletes develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy while participating in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship among their families, Special Olympics athletes and the community. The athletes achieve their dreams with the support of caring volunteers, coaches, family members and staff

Certain Hope Community: Certain Hope is a 501c3 non-profit that brings hope and community to families raising kids with disabilities. Events are designed for the whole family.

Mediation services provide families and districts assistance in working through disagreements and help to avoid disputes, so children with disabilities promptly receive the services they need to develop and succeed in school. Advocacy services can help families understand their rights and guide and support them through the special education process.

Special Education Mediation Services: Special Education Mediation Services (SEMS) is an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Grant Funded Initiative through the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education.

MPAS-Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services: DRM advocates and lawyers advise individuals with disabilities of their rights and responsibilities and advocate for their human, civil and legal rights within the state of Michigan. 

Disability Advocates of West Michigan: The mission of Disability Advocates is to “advocate for accessible and welcoming communities” which is rooted in a federal and state mandate to work on public policy change. This is done by engaging persons with disabilities and partners to create positive change through advocacy and education at the local, state, and federal levels. They strive to eliminate systemic barriers and enhance programs so that people with disabilities can live the self-directed life they choose. 

CADRE-The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education: CADRE creates products and delivers services that are high quality, relevant, and useful to the field of dispute resolution in special education and early intervention.

Parent Advocacy Network: SPAN Parent Advocacy Network is committed to children and families with the greatest need due to disability or special health/mental health needs; poverty; discrimination based on race/ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, immigrant or homeless status; involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems; geographic location; or other special circumstances.

Michigan Alliance for Families: 

• Michigan’s federally funded Parent Training and Information Center
• Michigan Department of Education IDEA Grant Funded Initiative
• Align with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to help improve results for children with disabilities. 
• Can assist you in knowing your rights, effectively communicating your child’s needs, and advising how to help your child develop and learn.

MDE Office of Special Education Fact Sheets

• Special Education in Public Schools
• Special Education in Charter Schools
• Special Education in Non-Publics and Homeschools