Michigan Alliance for Families

Michigan Alliance for Families provides parents and caregivers of children with disabilities or special health care needs with training, special education support, and referrals to community resources. Phone: 1-800-552-4821.

Parents Together Support Group — NAMI Livingston

NAMI Livingston’s Parents Together Support Group offers peer-led support for parents and caregivers of adolescents experiencing mental health challenges. Meetings are available both in person and virtually. Contact: namioflivingston@gmail.com or 810-206-5322.

Bridgeway Program at Northwest Education Services

Bridgeway Program provides specialized educational services for students with autism spectrum disorder and related learning needs in structured, supportive environments. Phone: 231-933-8597. (Northwest Education Services)

Center-Based Programs NW Education Services

Transition Campus provides post-secondary transition services that help students develop independent living, employment, and community participation skills. Phone: 231-922-6357. (Northwest Education Services)

Creekside School: Northwest Education Services

Creekside School offers individualized education and behavioral support for students with emotional impairments or significant behavioral needs in a structured setting. Phone: 231-922-6375.

New Horizons: Northwest Education Services

New Horizons serves students with cognitive and multiple impairments, focusing on academic, communication, social, and daily living skills. Phone: 231-933-3560. (Northwest Education Services)

Transition Campus: Northwest Education Services

Northwest Education Services’ Transition Campus serves eligible students ages 18-26 across all disabilities. All students participate in programs focused on teaching transition skills in areas of recreation and leisure, employability, independent living skills, community participation, and social emotional learning. We are located at various spots in the community.

Grand Traverse Dyslexia Association

Grand Traverse Dyslexia Association provides one-on-one Orton-Gillingham tutoring and literacy support for individuals with dyslexia and other reading challenges. Phone: 231-929-1007.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Resources: Northwest Education Services

Northwest Education Services provides several resources for parents with children on the autism spectrum. Call (231) 933-8597 for more information.

Children’s Special Health Care Services | Grand Traverse County, MI

Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) helps children and some adults with special health care needs access medical care and support services. The program assists families with care coordination, insurance navigation, and connections to providers and community resources. Call 231-995-6111 for more information or check out the website.

Disability Network Northern Michigan

The Disability Network is a nonprofit organization that works to promote independence, inclusion, and accessibility for people with disabilities of all ages. They provide a variety of services and resources to support individuals in living fully self-directed lives through advocacy, peer support, information and referral, and independent living services. This webpage describes their services and how to contact them. Call 231-922-0903 for more information.

Early On Michigan

Early On Michigan (accessible at 1-800-327-5966 or 1800earlyon.org) is a statewide early intervention program that supports families with infants and toddlers from birth to age three who have developmental delays or diagnosed conditions that may impact development. The program connects families with free evaluations, developmental screenings, and coordinated services such as speech, physical, and occupational therapy when needed. Early On also provides a family service coordinator who works with parents to create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and helps connect families to local resources and supports.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Here is where you can learn about an individualized education program (IEP). An IEP is a written document for students with disabilities ages 3 through 25 that outlines the student’s educational needs and goals and any programs and services the intermediate school district (ISD) and/or its member district will provide to help the student make educational progress.

Special Education | Traverse City Area Public Schools

TCAPS Special Education Services provide individualized support for students with disabilities across Traverse City Area Public Schools. Services are designed to meet each student’s unique educational needs through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are delivered in the least restrictive environment whenever possible. Support may include specialized instruction, resource room services, speech and language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, social work, and other related services.

Section 504 | Traverse City Area Public Schools

Section 504 Services at Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) provide supports and accommodations for students with disabilities to ensure equal access to education in the general school environment. Section 504 is a federal civil rights law that requires schools to remove barriers so students with physical or mental impairments can fully participate in academic and school activities. At TCAPS, eligible students may receive a 504 Plan that outlines specific accommodations such as adjustments to classroom instruction, testing, schedules, or supports based on individual needs.

Section 504 | U.S. Department of Education

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (U.S. Department of Education) is a federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in education programs and other activities that receive federal funding. Schools, colleges, and other funded institutions must provide equal access and appropriate accommodations so students with disabilities can fully participate in learning and school life. Section 504 applies to a wide range of physical and mental disabilities and may require schools to offer supports such as accommodations, accessibility modifications, and related services through a 504 Plan.

Children’s Therapy Corner

Children’s Therapy Corner (CTC) is a pediatric therapy organization in Traverse City. The organization offers a multidisciplinary approach that specializes in therapeutic services to children from birth through school age with physical, sensory, behavioral, cognitive and communication needs.i They offer physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy, along with specialized programs for conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing challenges, and feeding or motor difficulties. Call 231-929-2354 for more information.

Better Together of Northern Michigan

Better Together of Northern Michigan Aims to enrich the lives of people 18 and older living with intellectual and developmental disabilities through social connections, family support, the arts and recreational opportunities. You can find a calendar of events on their website. Call (231) 534-1462 for more information.