Autism Support of West Shore

08/31/2026

🤔Are you familiar with the Family Matters Fact Sheets?

It's a resource from Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education to support you to understand the special education process and requirements.

To start the school year, Eleanor A. Harris interim director of MDE OSE, has shared a letter with parents and guardians reminding them of this resource.

🔗Read Letter to Families athttps://www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/specialeducation/familymatters/Info/FM_IntLtr-Parents.pdf

These two-page Family Matters Fact Sheets offer a concise overview of special education laws, practices, and procedural safeguards, and include links to more in-depth special education system resources.

If you are interested in receiving Family Matters updates, visit the Family Matters webpage at https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/special-education/parent-resources/family-matters to sign up to receive notifications when new information is available.

As always, we love to see and appreciate MDE sharing our information with families.

A Statewide Resource for Families
Michigan Alliance for Families offers workshops and can connect you with a Parent Mentor. Parent Mentors can assist you in understanding how to navigate the educational system and are knowledgeable about state and local resources.
💻https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org
📥[email protected]
☎️1-800-552-4821

08/31/2026

🏌️THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!!! SPOTS ARE ALMOST FULL.

The Autism Support of West Shore (ASWS) Annual Golf Outing is back at Oak Ridge Golf Course in Norton Shores on Saturday, September 19th 2026
We are hitting the greens for an incredible day of community, competition, and fundraising for local families affected by autism. Spots fill up fast every single year—and if you lock in your spot early, you will save money on your registration fee.
For those already registered, we look forward to seeing you there.


Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 19th
Tee Off: 9:45 AM (Sharp!) Check- in at 8AM
Location: Oak Ridge Golf Course
Perk: Early bird discount applied at checkout!


🏆 What is Included
18 holes of championship golf with a cart per twosome.
Golf gift bag for each participant.
Delicious continental breakfast, lunch and appetizer dinner by Teddy’s Spaghetti.
Golf awards for longest drive, longest putt and closest to the pin on selected holes.
$10,000 prize for hole-in-one on selected hole.
Grand prizes for top-finishing teams.
19th Hole Party from 3PM to 5PM (public welcome) with huge silent auction, exciting raffle items and 50/50 drawing.
Performing live Lew Russ during the 19th Hole Party.

07/28/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1D7QVsx7Tz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Free Thursday webinar for parents who need a real plan.

07/20/2026

Our annual golf outing is Sept. 19, 2026 Registration is open and slots are already filling up. Hope you can join us.

07/08/2026

"IEP: A Closer Look" is offered once a month at different times of day, even during the summer!

Get a better understanding of your child's IEP by taking a closer look at the core areas and how they build on each other. This workshop can help you:

☀️ take a more in depth look at the key sections of the IEP
☀️ prioritize your greatest concerns
☀️ learn how to address those concerns through the IEP process

Time is set aside every month to answer attendee questions.

🗽Tuesday July 28 @ 5PM
https://tinyurl.com/2em723w4

🏖️Monday August 17 @ 10AM
https://tinyurl.com/3vvxcsyj

🚌Wednesday September 9 @ 12PM
https://tinyurl.com/mpevffy6

See our full calendar of events at https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/

07/08/2026

Complicated paperwork shouldn't be the reason people lose their Medicaid coverage. A new federal rule requires many adults who get Medicaid to prove they're working, studying, or volunteering 80 hours a month. People with disabilities are supposed to be exempt, but the rule adds so much paperwork that many could lose coverage anyway—not because they're ineligible, but because they can't keep up with the red tape.

Tell the government to fix this. Submit a comment here by the July 31 deadline: https://bit.ly/4wmhKIk

07/08/2026

A sibling relationship is one of the most important and lifelong connections a person can have. For the sibling of a child with special health care needs, the bond can be especially meaningful. Join Emily Holl, director of the Sibling Support Project, as she shares ways to support this special relationship. You’ll also hear about an upcoming Sibshops facilitator training and grant opportunity to bring Sibshops to your community.

CARING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: SUPPORTING SIBLINGS OF CYSHCN.
July 28, 2026
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

To register, for the next webinar in the Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Learning Connections Webinar series use the following link: https://redcap.link/sibshopwebinar.

07/06/2026

New learning this summer with a new webinar on determining eligibility for special education services.

IEP Eligibility
July 14 @ 5PM
Register at https://tinyurl.com/3kcs97e3

If you suspect a disability is impacting your child's learning, behavior, or social-emotional growth, please come.
If your child already receives special education programs and services and you want to better understand eligibility categories and criteria, please come.

We will explore:
❔the difference between medical diagnosis and IEP eligibility
❔importance of "educational impact"
❔criteria for the 13 eligibility categories
❔evaluation and eligibility resources

💻See the whole lineup of July webinars at https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/

07/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1D7TvxDgfq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We know how expensive therapy can be. We offer therapy scholarships of up to $1,000 twice per year to help children with special needs access therapy that helps them thrive.