Advocacy
The Arc of Northwest Wayne County advocates for people with developmental disabilities so that they can participate fully in their community. The Arc of Northwest Wayne County provides information and individualized assistance to people with developmental disabilities and their families in the areas of education, access to mental health services, applying for entitlements, creative housing options, future planning, person-centered planning, self-determination, alternatives to guardianship, and recreation. The Arc of Northwest Wayne County serves the communities of Redford, Livonia, Plymouth, Canton, Northville, and Garden City.
Educational Advocacy
The Arc of Northwest Wayne County offers free educational advocacy to families living within our catchment areas of Redford, Livonia, Plymouth, Canton, Northville, and Garden City. An Arc advocate is available to provide information and answer questions pertaining to special education services. Advocates may be available to attend school meetings with families to ensure that parents understand their rights and can effectively participate in the meetings.
For Advocacy assistance please contact: Bettie Cunningham and Khalilah Montgomery at 313-532-7915.
Resources:
Education:
Michigan Alliance for Families
www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org
Information and Referral- 800-552-4821
Michigan Alliance for Families (MAF) is a statewide resource to connect families of children with disabilities to resources to help improve their children’s education. MAF facilitates parent involvement as a means of improving educational services and outcomes for students with disabilities.
MAF can assist you in knowing your rights, effectively communicating your child’s needs, and providing advice on how to help them develop and learn. View or print our brochure: English, Spanish, Arabic.
Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency (Wayne RESA)
Special Education Administration and Compliance-
http://www.resa.net/specialeducation/spedcompliance/
Michigan Department of Education-Special Education Information Line
Questions related to special education- 888-320-8384 or email mde-ose@michigan.gov.
Michigan Department of Education-Special Education-Family Matters
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-6598_81739-425428–,00.html
Family Matters provides parents and families with information about special education and other resources. Download the Family Matters Information Flyer-
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/FM_Flyer_599707_7.pdf and share it with parents and families that might be looking for information about special education.
NEW Michigan Department of Education Mediation Assistance Hotline
Special Education Mediation Services (SEMS)
833-543-7178
The new number will connect callers to an Intake Coordinator at the Michigan Department of Education. SEMS intake coordinator will conduct an intake on requests for mediation, or facilitated special education meetings, and provide information about the dispute resolution options available to the Michigan special education community.
Special Education Request for State Complaint Investigation
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/StateComplaintForm_550398_7.pdf
Special Education Due Process Complaint Procedures
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/DueProcess_Complaint_Procedures_340126_7.pdf
Michigan Department of Education State Board of Education
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-5373—,00.html
Accessing Community Mental Health Services
Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network
Customer Service/Enrollment -313-241-4949