ORGANIZATIONS THAT ASSIST PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
General Information
► Council for Exceptional Children
The largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of
individuals with disabilities.
www.cec.sped.org
► Center for Parent Information & Resources
A national central source of information on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth.
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/resources/
► Early On Michigan
Early On® Michigan is the system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers, birth to three
years of age, with developmental delays and/or disabilities. Early On supports families as their children
learn and grow.
www.1800earlyon.org
Char-Em ISD Office
231.439.8167
► Family Support Network of Michigan
Trained volunteers offer emotional support for families with children with disabilities.
http://michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2942_4911_35698-56603--,00.html
Lansing Office
800.359.3722
► Michigan Alliance for Families
Provides information, support, and education for families who have children (birth through 26 years of
age) who receive (or may be eligible to receive) special education services.
http://michiganallianceforfamilies.org
Lansing Office
800.552.4821
► Michigan Department of Education Technical Assistance on Special Education for
Families
Lansing Office
888.320.8384
► Northern Michigan Autism Association
This family support group meets monthly in Petoskey on the third Wednesday year round. The website
and Facebook page offer information and networking opportunities. www.northernmichiganautism.org
Mike Atchison atchison.mj@gmail.com
231.330.5757
► Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
PACER provides individual assistance, workshops, publications, and other resources to help families
make decisions about education and other services for their child or young adult with disabilities.
www.pacer.org
► S.P.E.A.K.S. Education (Student.Parents.Educators.Alliance.toKnow.Special.Education)
S.P.E.A.K.S. Education, located in Sault Ste. Marie, provides trainings and information and referrals to
students, parents, educators and community agencies. S.P.E.A.K.S. provides parent mentors that are
trained to work one on one with the families so they can be educated to advocate for their own child.
Sault Saint Marie office
906.635.8984
Health Services
► Children’s Special Health Care Services
Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) is a program within the Michigan Department of
Community Health. It is for children and some adults with special health care needs and their families.
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2942_4911_35698-15087--,00.html
Lansing Office
800.359.3722
► Department of Human Services
Provides Medicaid, food stamps, child care subsidy, home help services.
http://michigan.gov/dhs
Emmet/Charlevoix Office
231.348.1600
Antrim Office
231.533.8664
► Easter Seals Disability Services
Provides services throughout the life spectrum for people with disabilities and their families.
http://easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=MISE_homepage
Waterford Office
800.757.3257
► North Country Community Mental Health – Developmental Disabilities Services
Provides or coordinates services and supports for people with developmental disabilities. Services
include: Assessment, Individual Plan of Service, Supports Coordination, Residential Placement
Assistance, Supported Living Arrangements, Professional Treatment, Crisis Intervention and Family
Support.
http://www.norcocmh.org/services.html
Gaylord Office
989.732.6292
► North Country Community Mental Health – Mental Health Services
Provides a continuum of services intended to support and empower children and families. Maintaining the
family unit is the primary goal of child and family services and includes: outreach therapy, counseling and
therapy, and residential and crisis respite services.
http://www.norcocmh.org/services.html
Emmet County
231.347.6701
Charlevoix County
231.547.5885
Antrim County
231.533.8619
► Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency
Provides Children’s Special Health Care Services for those 20 years old or younger, including referrals,
family-centered services and community-based services.
www.nwhealth.org
Emmet County
231.347.3850
Charlevoix County
231.547.6523
Antrim County
231.533.8670
► Social Security Administration
Provides disability benefits for children, youth and adults, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Emmet County Office
231.0692
Disability Services
► ARC: Michigan
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.
www.arcmi.org
Lansing Office
800.292.7851
► Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Supports families, health care providers and education professionals understand childhood hearing loss
and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.
http://ncagbell.org
Telephone
800.YOUR.EAR
► Autism Society of Michigan
Committed to empowering individuals with autism and their families by providing education, resources,
materials, workshops and seminars.
www.autism-mi.org
Lansing Office
800.223.6722
► Children and Adults with AD/HD (CHADD)
Support for individuals with AD/HD and their families.
www.chadd.org
► Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan
Support for individuals with AD/HD and their families.
www.epilepsymichigan.org
Telephone
800.377.6226
► Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan
Provides resources related to learning disabilities.
www.ldaofmichigan.org
Lansing Office
888-597-7809
► Michigan Association for Children with Emotional Disorders
Provides support and advocacy for children with mental health and emotional disorders, including
supports for children facing juvenile justice charges.
www.michkids.org
Southfield Office
248-433-2200
► Michigan Commission for the Blind
Provides opportunity for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve employability and/or
function independently in society.
www.michigan.gov/mcb
Telephone
800.292.4200
► United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan
United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan (UCP Michigan) is a non-profit advocacy organization that works for
life without limits for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
www.ucpofmichigan.org
Lansing Office
800.828.2714
Conflict Resolution Services
► Northern Community Mediation
Northern Community Mediation assists families and schools resolve conflicts through mediation and IEP
facilitation.
www.northernmediation.org
Emmet County
231.487.1771
► Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc.
MPAS provides a variety of advocacy information and services related to disability issues in Special
Education.
www.mpas.org
Lansing Office
800.288.5923
Employment and Recreation Services
► Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)
Provides services for training, job coaching, employment and counseling.
Emmet County
231.439.5260
Charlevoix County
989.732.6443
Antrim County
► Special Olympics
Provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for
children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
www.somi.org/About-SOMI/RegionArea-Information/Northern-Region/Area-33.html
Taylor School
231.439.6937
Regional Office, Cheboygan
231.627.2930
Revised May 2014