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OUR MISSION

To ensure all children in West Michigan receive the quality education they need to thrive

WHAT WE DO

Provide comprehensive non-legal advocacy and legal representation to West Michigan children for all educational needs. This includes:
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  • Pairing families with a non-attorney advocate, supervised by an attorney, to provide wide-ranging support in obtaining and monitoring their child’s education needs. Our trained advocates provide weekly contact with families to address all education issues.
  • Working closely with related service providers to assist parents in fully understanding their child’s disability, strengths, areas of need, and recommended services and interventions.
  • Representing children and parents for due process hearings and related legal proceedings to ensure every child receives the free and appropriate public education they are entitled to when non-legal advocacy is no longer effective in addressing the student’s needs.

WHO WE SERVE

Children in West Michigan*, ages Birth to 26, with a particular focus on:
  • Low-income students with disabilities
  • Minority students with disabilities
  • Students involved in the juvenile justice system
  • Students involved in the child welfare system (foster or kinship care)
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*MI AECRES primarily serves children in the following counties: Allegan, Benzie, Berrien, Berry, Cass, Grand Traverse, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lake, Leelenau, Manistee, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ottawa, St. Joseph, Van Buren, and Wexford.
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If you reside outside of these counties, please still reach out! We may be able to provide services on a case-by-case basis, or connect you with someone who can!
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