The START Project team understands the challenges ahead for schools and families. We will be sharing information and resources via our website and social media in order to provide support for families and schools. START is actively planning for other options for training and resources in the event of cancellations. Please visit our updates page for more information on cancellations. As always, please reach out to the START office if you have any concerns or questions. 

• US Department of Education - COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel
• Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Outbreak
• FERPA and Virtual Learning
• Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities
• Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students

• Guidance for Compliance with IDEA and MARSE During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Version 2 (May 20, 2020)
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Communications
• Learning at a Distance Guidance (April 2020)
• Compliance Requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) during a Public Health Emergency (March 13, 2020)
• Educator's Guide to Supporting the Social and Emotional Needs of Students
• Family Matters: Navigating Extended Time Away From School: Information for Families With Children Receiving Special Education Services
• Interactive Map of Food Service Programs for Children
• Free and Low Cost Professional Learning Options

• OSEP Ideas that Work: Continuity of Learning during COVID-19
• A Comprehensive Resource from AFIRM: Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times
• Autism Speaks: COVID-19 Information and Resources
• Autism Society of America: COVID-19 2nd Update from the Autism Society of America, Announces Coronavirus Information Series
• Child Mind Institute: Supporting Families During COVID-19
• Virginia Commonwealth University Autism Center for Excellence: Resources for Individuals with ASD and their Family Members
• Kentucky Autism Training Center: Supporting Students with ASD at Home During COVID-19
• BRAINS: COVID-19 Information and Resources
• Special Education and Mediation Services

• Center on PBIS: Responding to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak through PBIS
• Alt + Shift - Creating accessible learning environments: Resources to support learning at home
• CEEDAR Center: Virtual Toolkit
• We Are Teachers: Online Learning Resources
• The Ability Challenge: Ten Ideas for Keeping Students with Diverse Learning Needs Engaged At Home
• Khan Academy: Resources During School Closures
• Mindful Schools: Mindfulness Classes for Kids
• Marquette Alger RESA: Remote Learning Toolkit
• GLEAN Regional Collaborative Network Coaches Newsletter:
  • April 2020
  • May 2020
• How to make PDFs editable
• The TIES Center: Distance Learning Engagement

• Michigan Alliance for Families: Resources and Frequently Asked Questions Surrounding COVID-19
  • Sharing our Strengths and Struggles: connect with other parents of children with disabilities
• Autism Alliance of Michigan: MiNavigator
• START Project: Resource list for sibling support
• Yale Child Study Center: Coping during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Yale’s Guide for Families with Children with ASD
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• PBIS for Parents: Using PBIS Principles at Home
• Michigan Cares: Free digital lessons to help students develop the skills required for social, emotional, and mental well-being
• Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT): Resources for families of individuals with ASD
• Autism New Jersey: Managing Severe Challenging Behavior in the Home during the COVID-19 Crisis
• Florida Inclusion Network: Tips for Families in Supporting Their Children with Disabilities in Virtual Formats (Spanish version)
• IRIS Center: Parents - Supporting Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• The Seaver Autism Center: Tackling Social Skills for Children with Autism During Social Distancing 

• Zero to Three: Tips for Families
• Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center: Information and Resources
• Vanderbilt Kennedy Center: Resources for Autism Assessment and Care amid COVID-19 Pandemic

• NTACT: At Home Instructional Resources
• Michigan College Access Network: COVID-19 Response Grants
• Connected Youth Initiative: Managing Social Distancing: Resources for young people to make COVID-19 social distancing not suck
• Best Buddies: e-Buddies - Email pen pal program
• Best Buddies: Virtual Program Toolkit
• Youth Service America: Ideas to Act for the Common Good During Coronavirus Crisis
• Child Mind Institute: Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults During the Coronavirus Crisis
• Unicef: Risk Communication & Community Engagement: Practical Tips on Engaging Adolescents and Youth in the COVID-19 Response
• Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC): A Conversation With Students: How COVID-19 is Affecting their Educational Experience
• AFIRM: Adult Resources
• Michigan Transition services Association (MTSA): Resources for curriculum, support to staff, and state guidance

• Easterseals Illinois Autism Partnership: School Closure Toolkit
• Do2Learn: Visual Schedules
• UM-NSU CARD: Social Story: Let's Talk About the Coronavirus
• Little Puddins: The Autism Educator: What is the Coronavirus? Social Story
• Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC): Plain Language Information on COVID-19
• Mindheart: COVIBOOK

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America: How to talk to your anxious child or teen about Coronavirus
• NASP: Helping children cope with changes resulting from COVID-19 (multiple languages)
• Harvard Center on the Developing Child: Stress, Resilience, and the Role of Science: Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic
• Russ Harris and ACT: How To Respond Effectively To The Corona Crisis

• The People's Supper in the Age of Physical Distancing: A Story-Sharing & Listening Guidebook for Virtual Gatherings
• Search Institute: Building Developmental Relationships During the COVID-19 Crisis
• START Padlet Virtual LINKS: Making Social Connections while Distancing
  • What is Padlet and how do I share ideas?
  • Padlet 101 video
• LINK Survey - School Closure 2020
  • Word Document Format
  • Google Form Format
• Peer to Peer Postcard
  • Printable PDF
  • Postcard Front - PNG Format
  • Postcard Back - PNG Format

• Internet Access Resources

Here are a few of the many resources for activities and ideas for families while schools are closed: 

• 4-H at Home
• PBS: Activities and Tips for Parents While Kids are at Home
• GVSU Charter Schools Office: Family Resources for Learning at Home 
• Sprout: Virtual Film Fest
• Virtual School Activities: A collection live webcams, virtual tours/trips, and other educational sites
• Audible: Free Stories for Kids
• Time for Kids: Free Digital Library