Parents on Policy: Raising Our Voices, Driving Real Change at Mackinac and Beyond
On May 29, 2025, parents, advocates, educators, and organizers gathered virtually for the 4th Annual Parents on Policy Town Hall, held alongside the Mackinac Policy Conference. This year’s theme, “The Equation for Impact: Bringing Parent Voices to the Mackinac Policy Conference”, captured the spirit of what we’re building—an education system that works with families, not around them.
This town hall, hosted by the Detroit Parent Network included the Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC), powered by the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) and The Education Trust-Midwest.
The town hall wasn’t just another event; it was a movement moment—a clear message that Michigan parents are organized, informed, and determined to have a say in the decisions that shape our children’s futures.
Centering Parent Expertise in Policy
AAoM’s Director of Statewide Education, Heather Eckner, underscored a fundamental truth: policies work best when shaped by the people most affected by them. With over 223,000 students in Michigan currently eligible for special education supports, that means families must have a central seat at the table.
While AAoM’s roots are in the autism community, its work spans the entire disability spectrum and broader education system. Through a bipartisan, student-centered advocacy lens, AAoM is tackling systemic inequities—from outdated funding models to access gaps in early intervention—and championing bold policy solutions. The mission is clear: prepare students with disabilities for the most independent lives possible through inclusive, high-quality education.
Listening to Lived Experience:
The Special Education Experience (SEE) Survey
Marisa Brizzolara, a MiPAAC parent advocate from Grand Rapids, shared findings from the Special Education Experience (SEE) Survey, which captured voices from nearly 900 families across 193 Michigan cities. The data revealed a consistent theme: our current special education funding system is outdated and inequitable. This core issue prevents many students with disabilities from accessing the resources and opportunities they deserve.
In response, AAoM, backed by the MiPAAC network and other partners, led successful advocacy for a legislative appropriation—a critical first step in creating a new, fair, and responsive funding model. This initiative laid the groundwork for something transformative.
Building a Better Future: The MI Blueprint
Sara Miller, a MiPAAC advocate from Detroit, highlighted the next phase: the Michigan Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint, or MI Blueprint. This is a landmark project to reimagine how Michigan invests in students with disabilities.
Guided by data, policy expertise, and lived experience, this collaboration—supported by AAoM, Public Sector Consultants, and national education finance experts—seeks to create a new model that is student-centered, equitable, and sustainable.
MI Blueprint isn’t just a study – it’s a blueprint for justice. It is a commitment to a future where resources follow need, and where every child—no matter their ZIP code or diagnosis—has access to the supports they need to thrive.
Why This Matters
When parents are included in policy-making, the results are real, lasting, and grounded in truth. Decisions about families must include families. And when we value lived experience as a form of expertise, we unlock more relevant, effective, and inclusive policies.
The Parents on Policy Town Hall is about disrupting the status quo of entrenched power structures. Often those closest to power and influence gather in these exclusive spaces, making decisions about policy that affect systems and impact people—without including the those who know the most about impact.
The annual Parents on Policy Town Hall is a powerful space for building solidarity, shifting narratives, and driving action.
We listened. We learned. We led—together.
Stay Connected
Want to be part of this growing movement?
- Are you a parent, advocate, or attorney dedicated to student-centered advocacy? >> Join the MiPAAC Network! mipaac.org/join-mipaac
- Stay up to date on the MI Blueprint Project: https://autismallianceofmichigan.org/education-initiatives/mi-blueprint/
- View the SEE Survey findings and advocacy priorities: https://autismallianceofmichigan.org/education-initiatives/special-education-experience-see-survey/
- Bring your voice to future town halls and advocacy campaigns!
Together, we are not just imagining a better system—we are building one. And parent voices are the foundation.
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.
###
#ParentsOnPolicy | #MIBlueprint | #MiSEEsurvey | #SpecialEdReform | #ParentVoiceMatters