What is a Regional Collaborative Network (RCN)?
A Regional Collaborative Network (RCN) is a group of school professionals, family representatives, and community partners working in partnership with START to support students with autism and related disabilities in their region. We understand that local communities know their students best. The RCNs are the state-level infrastructure for START that allows for regular communication and sharing to strengthen the work of all to deliver evidence-based educational programming.
START and RCN Partnership
In the 2024-2025 school year, Michigan had 30,134 students with an autism eligibility for special education services. The collaborative partnerships with the RCN are how START can reach so many students and achieve our mission. START’s role is to develop, facilitate, and support the direct work done by hundreds of school staff all over the state who commit time and energy to the work of their RCN.
