Parent Leadership in State Government

08/20/2025

Check out this webinar being offered by Michigan Alliance for Families that may be of interest!

Your experience as a parent is valuable. As the new school year begins, you may be looking for more ways to get involved at school? Want to learn more about serving on a committee or board?

Join us online on September 17 for a webinar about putting your experience and knowledge as a parent to good use.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/53usre34

Topics covered include:
• Types of committees
• Effective involvement
• The importance of the parent voice
• What information to gather when considering serving
• Issues to consider

Who should attend? Families with a child with disabilities or learning challenges who are looking for opportunities to have impact, other interested members of the community

Find more opportunities to learn about special education issues on our website calendar➡️https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/

04/15/2025

To register, visit: https://redcap.link/24_25learning

03/12/2025

People who have navigated Medicaid know best what works and what needs to improve. That’s why the Department of Health and Human Services is recruiting Medicaid beneficiaries to serve on a statewide Beneficiary Advisory Council. Members will share their insights and help shape policies that affect millions while being compensated for their expertise. If you or someone you know has experience on Medicaid, this is a chance to make a real difference. Visit the BAC website to apply today.
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/medicaid/beneficiary-advisory-council

11/14/2024

We are pleased to share with you the upcoming Growing as Leaders Training brought to you by Parent Leadership in State Government Michigan Family 2 Family Health Information Center and the Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs.
To register, visit: https://redcap.link/24_25learning

11/14/2024

We are pleased to share with you the upcoming Navigating Healthcare Workshop brought to you by Michigan Family 2 Family Health Information Center and the Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs.
To register, visit: https://redcap.link/24_25learning

10/14/2024

Growing as Leaders: Leadership Series -These one-hour webinars are open to ANY parent in Michigan interested in further development of their leadership skills (you do NOT have to have a child with a disability or special health care needs). This is a series; however, you may attend just those of interest to you. They provide a focused learning opportunity on a variety of leadership skills for both seasoned and emerging parent leaders. No previous leadership training required to attend.

Session 1: From Parents to Partners: Strengthening Leadership in Family Engagement - The parent leadership journey is crucial, and it can transform the role of parents from passive participants to proactive partners in systems. We will share examples that highlight the impact of parent leadership and provide strategies for fostering meaningful collaboration between families and system partners.

Oct 22, 2024, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

To register, visit: https://redcap.link/24_25learning

10/07/2024

The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs, Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center, and the Parent Leadership in State Government initiative are pleased to announce our 2024-2025 Growing as Leaders: Leadership Series.

These one-hour webinars are open to ANY parent in Michigan interested in further development of their leadership skills (you do NOT have to have a child with a disability or special health care needs). This is a series; however, you may attend just those of interest to you.

They provide a focused learning opportunity on a variety of leadership skills for both seasoned and emerging parent leaders. No previous leadership training required to attend. There are five webinars in the series, running every other month from Oct to June.

For a full description of the webinars in the series, visit https://f2fmichigan.org/events/

To register, visit: https://redcap.link/24_25learning

09/26/2024

Michigan's Parent-to-Parent support program is hiring a Peer Family Support Technician. This position supports the work of Children's Special Health Care Services, is the primary liaison to Parent to Parent USA, and oversees the implementation of Michigan's programs. This position plans, develops, and facilitates training, educational opportunities, and other initiatives for families and professionals who work with CYSHCN. This position represents families and the family perspective in CSHCS programming and initiatives and on state and local committees, workgroups, and advisory boards.

If this sounds like a good fit for you, check it out! The job posting will close on Oct. 17.

The MDHHS mission is to provide opportunities, services, and programs that promote a healthy, safe, and stable environment for residents to be self-sufficient. We are committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all employees are treated with dignity, respect and fairness...

09/25/2024

SHARING FOR THOSE THAT ARE INTERESTED!

A limited number of scholarships are available for parents and caregivers to attend the Parenting Awareness Michigan (PAM) Conference. The PAM Conference will take place on Friday, November 8, at the James B. Henry Center in Lansing. The scholarship will cover the cost of the conference (which includes a light breakfast and lunch). Parking is free.

Please consider sharing this scholarship opportunity with parents, parent networks, parent leaders, and partners who work with parents and caregivers. To be considered for a scholarship, interested individuals must complete the attached scholarship form and email to Sara Kirkpatrick, PAM Program Coordinator, at [email protected]. Scholarship applications must be submitted by October 1, 2024.

Details about the PAM Conference are available here

AgendaMeet The SpeakersSession DetailsHotel & TravelExhibitorsOur Sponsors Workshop Key Keynote Presentation + Additional Breakout Session Breakout Sessions Session 1 (10:30-11:45 AM) Session 2 (1:00-2:15 PM) Session 3 (2:30-3:45 PM)

03/18/2024

Do you have an interest growing as a Parent Leader?

Parent Leadership in State Government, Michigan Family to Family and The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs have partnered together to create Growing as Leaders, an online educational leadership series.

The one-hour virtual learning sessions are open to ANY parent in Michigan with an interest in developing their leadership skills (your child does not need to have a diagnosis/special health care needs).

The series started in Oct 2023 and runs every other month. You can attend all the sessions, or just the sessions with topics you are interested in. Registration is required, and there is no charge to attend.

The fourth workshop in the series will be April 10, 2024, from 12 noon to 1 pm.

Workshop # 4 is Sharing Your Story For Change

Sharing your story can be a powerful way to share your experience with others. It is especially helpful when advocating for change. This interactive workshop will explore how to prepare and deliver your story in an effective way.

Register here or use the QR code on the flyer below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-as-leaders-sharing-your-story-for-change-tickets-742165355557?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

02/02/2024

The application for the 2024-2025 Michigan Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (MI-LEND) training program is now open!

MI-LEND is an interdisciplinary leadership training program for Michigan’s emerging leaders in disability. Trainees can be from anywhere in the state, but need to be at least one of the following:

• A student currently enrolled in a Masters program or accepted for the fall semester (Fall 2024)
• Doctoral students
• Post-doctoral students and fellows
• Medical students
• Residents
• Community professionals who have completed the basic professional level of training in their disciplines
• Family members of an individual with disabilities (parents, siblings)
• Individuals with disabilities (Self-advocates)

Potential trainees have until May 1, 2024, to apply. A link to the application can be found at the bottom of this message. To learn more, review the MI-LEND recruitment flier and/or LEND informational video.

LEND Informational Video from Vanderbilt University:
https://youtu.be/NIIaaxsBZUM

If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please visit:
https://ddi.wayne.edu/milendapp

11/08/2023

Growing as Leaders - Leadership Series

Please share with your networks!

Do you have an interest growing as a Parent Leader? Parent Leadership in State Government, Michigan Family to Family and The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs have partnered together to create Growing as Leaders, an online educational leadership series.

We recognize the importance of parents having the knowledge and skills to function in meaningful leadership roles and provide the “parent voice” to help shape the direction of programs and services in their communities. This series is designed to support the development and engagement of emerging family leaders in Michigan to work toward meaningful parent leadership in our state.

The one-hour virtual learning sessions are open to ANY parent in Michigan with an interest in developing their leadership skills (your child does not have a diagnosis/special health care needs). The series started in Oct 2023 and runs every other month. You can attend all the sessions, or just the sessions with topics you are interested in. Registration is required, and there is no charge to attend.

The second workshop will be December 6, 2023, from 12 noon to 1 pm. The topic of the second workshop is “Start With Your Why.” Your “WHY” is born of past experiences, lessons learned, and your values. This interactive session will help you identify your “why” and learn how to integrate your passion and purpose into your daily life for greater impact.

To register for the December 6th event, please use the link or QR code in the flyer below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-as-leaders-start-with-your-why-tickets-735833908027