Essential Resources
The resources below provide information that can address specific needs of parents and guardians. Char-Em ISD is dedicated to providing parents and guardians with information that can enable active participation in the special education process. Click on the links below to access resources that may meet the needs of your student and family.
Use this guide to learn about special education services & programs for learners with disabilities from birth to age 26. Find information on determining eligibility, developing educational plans, and services and programs available.
Family Matters provides parents and families with information about special education and other resources.
Access the Family Resource Guide for family services in Charlevoix, Emmet, and northern Antrim Counties.
Family Coalition members help educate, inform, and provide opportunities in our community so all children are nurtured, supported, and achieve their maximum potential. We do this through organizing community projects and events, talking and sharing stories with other parents/caregivers, and advocating for families with children from birth to age 12.
Help Me Grow Char-Em
Help Me Grow Char-Em connects families with children prenatal through age five to local resources to help children grow up healthy and ready to succeed in school.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) website brings together IDEA information and resources from the Department and its grantees. Here you can find information and explore resources on infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.
Michigan Alliance for Families provides information, support, and education for families who have children and young adults (birth to 26 years of age) who receive (or may be eligible to receive) special education services. This website can help you with finding information on special education issues as well as disability specific information.
MRS is a statewide network of vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals developing creative, customized solutions that meet the needs of individuals and business. MRS provides vocational rehabilitation services for eligible individuals with disabilities, consistent with their unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice, to prepare for and engage in employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
For information about services, call the Access Center at 877.470.7130.
Parent’s Guide to Special Education Services in the
Least Restrictive Environment
This pamphlet will help you as a parent understand the meaning of Least Restrictive Environment, and what it means for your child and his or her educational services.
Special Education Mediation Services helps students by fostering cooperation and effective teamwork among those who plan their education. The overall goal is to help students, parents, and educators make decisions that improve education outcomes. Families can also request services on this website.
Special Education Compliance in Michigan: Regulations, Rules, and Procedural Safeguards
Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE)
The Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) outline the specific requirements for how special education is implemented in Michigan. Michigan rules are aligned with federal regulations.
The IDEA includes a set of procedural safeguards designed to protect the rights of students with disabilities and their parents. The document is available in English and several other languages.
Special Education Laws and Regulations
This website features Michigan laws and policies about special education. It also includes the Michigan Special Education Reference (MI-SER), which gives access to federal and state special education law resources with a comprehensive search tool.