Back to School Issue — Fall 2021
Join the Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC) where we tackle the burning issues for families of students with disabilities. MiPAAC is a student-centered advocacy organization that formed in 2020 to include members from across the state.
We meet regularly to collectively identify priorities.
Our work is centered around educating families on current special education issues and topics, as well as advocating for state policies and legislation that support their needs. We are unique in that we are an independent group of stakeholders without political interference that is solely focused on advocating for the education needs of children.
One of our earliest actions was to put forth our position on Contingency Learning Plans. We have also held a virtual event called Zoom Chat last April on how to advocate for recovery services, ESY and compensatory education. Most recently, we have written a letter of support to the Michigan Senate Committee on Education and Career Readiness for the Dyslexia package of bills that is currently in committee, provided input to the U.S. House Subcommittee for Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education regarding the impact of COVID-19 on students with disabilities, and wrote to Governor Whitmer requesting representation on future educational planning groups, such as the recently convened Student Recovery Advisory Council. The letter to Governor Whitmer resulted in a meeting with her office. All activities can be viewed on our website at www.mipaac.org.
As you can see, joining MiPAAC has many benefits, which include not only a voice in the direction of education in our state, and access to up-to-date information that impacts your student(s), but also camaraderie with others engaged in similar activities across the state through regular meetings, our private Facebook group, and access to the our membership directory.
Complete this MiPAAC Member interest form to receive more information for upcoming meetings and activities, and be a part of making education in our state more accessible and inclusive for all! Membership is open to parents of a child with a disability and advocates and attorneys that work on behalf of students with disabilities and their families.