Autism Alliance submits public comment on Michigan’s Annual State Application for Funds under IDEA Part C for FFY 2025 (April 24, 2025)
Advocacy in Action: holding systems accountable
April 24, 2025
Public Comment on Michigan’s Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025 Part C of IDEA Application
Submitted via email to: MiLEAP-Public-Comments@michigan.gov
Please accept public comment from the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) related to Michigan’s Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025 Part C of IDEA Application as made available for review at: https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/early-childhood-education/early-learners-and-care/special-ed-05/early-on-michigan/public-comment-on-part-c-of-idea-application
Note our comment as follows:
Assurance 19: The Statewide system includes policies and procedures to ensure, consistent with 34 CFR §§303.13(a)(8) (early intervention services), 303.26 (natural environments), and 303.344(d)(1)(ii) (content of an IFSP), that early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities are provided—
(a) To the maximum extent appropriate, in natural environments; and
(b) In settings other than the natural environment that are most appropriate, as determined by the parent and the IFSP Team, only when early intervention services cannot be achieved satisfactorily in a natural environment. (34 CFR §303.126)
AAoM COMMENT
Data would suggest that Michigan’s statewide system does not include policies and procedures to ensure that early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities are provided, to the maximum extent appropriate, in natural environments.
Latest data (2023-2024) indicates that just 2.2 percent of Michigan’s infants and toddlers ages birth through 2 served under IDEA Part C are served in community-based setting (295 of 12,37112,679) compared to 7.2 percent across the U.S. (33,364 of 462,847). More than 96 percent of Michigan’s infants and toddlers are served in the home compared to 89 percent nationwide.
The Michigan Dept. of Education should develop strategies that will increase the number/percent of infants and toddlers ages birth through 2 being served in community-based settings. Doing so would likely have a positive impact on Michigan’s State-identified Measurable Result (SiMR): To increase the social and emotional outcomes for infants and toddlers as measured by Indicator 3a.
Thank you for your consideration of our comments and recommendations.
Please feel free to contact Colleen Allen, President & CEO of the Autism Alliance of Michigan colleen.allen@aaomi.org and Heather Eckner, Director of Statewide Education heather.eckner@aaomi.org with any questions or concerns.
Source: State Level Data Files Part C Child Count and Settings – 2023-2024
https://data.ed.gov/dataset/idea-section-618-state-part-c-child-count-and-settings/resources
About the Autism Alliance of Michigan
The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) is a 501(c)(3) organization serving as a trusted ally and partner for thousands of families across the state. AAoM’s mission is to lead efforts to raise expectations and expand opportunities for people connected to autism across their lifespan. The organization’s Education pillar drives initiatives that address systemic barriers to education, focuses on student-centered advocacy, and educates families on related topics – working towards its goal to make Michigan a top 10 state for special education outcomes. For help finding resources, providers and information contact our AAoM Navigators at 877-463-2266 (AAOM) or email at navigator@aaomi.org. More information about AAoM’s Education pillar can be found at www.autismallianceofmichigan.org/education-initiatives.
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