The Mid-Year Progress Reports are now available in the START PDS! For more information on completing the Mid-Year Progress Reporting in the START PDS, access the instructions here. 

Mid-Year Progress Reporting:

Mid-Year Progress Reporting was due March 2, 2026. Please know that we will be flexible if you need more time. 

Peer to Peer Program Data was due by March 2, 2026. Please contact Stephanie Pulido (pulidos@gvsu.edu) if you have any questions about this form or about collecting your Peer to Peer data.

The Spring RCN Leadership Day will be held on May 5, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Lansing Center.

Registration will be sent to the RCN Leadership by March 11, 2026. 

Registration is open for the 25th Annual START Conference: Building on the Past and Designing the Future! START is pleased to offer both an in-person and virtual option for the 25th Annual START Conference. 

📅May 4, 2026
⌚8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
📍Lansing Center

The 25th Annual START Conference will feature Keynote Sessions from Shelley Moore, Ph.D., Elizabeth E. Biggs, Ph.D., and Mateo Moreno! We hope you will join us!

Each RCN should submit at least one RCN-provided stand-alone training per semester using START content delivered by Current EPLI Trainers of START Content. The training will be included in the events listed on the START website, and should be open to the RCN and the broader region, including families and community partners. Trainings should be submitted here.

The trainings will be posted here on the START website as they are received. Please share this with your local contacts. 

→ We highly encourage the RCN to distribute information about START's 2025-2026 Trainings and Training Series to staff, community members, and families across your region. 

START has developed flyers, images, and slides for the RCN to use and disseminate. 

FAPE in the LRE

📅Date: April 9, 2026
⌚Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom

Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is the foundation of special education. This interactive session helps all school staff-including all teachers, administrators, and support teams—understand what FAPE and LRE means and their role in supporting students with disabilities. Participants will engage in activities and use tools designed to strengthen their ability to support students with disabilities effectively.

25th Anniversary START Speaker Series

📅Date: April 15, 2026
⌚Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Presenter: Amy Ursitti
Title: A Sibling's Perspective on Profound Autism

This presentation offers an in-depth look at profound autism through the lived experience of a sibling. Drawing on personal narrative and family advocacy, the speaker will share what it is like to grow up alongside a brother with profound autism and how this experience shapes family life across childhood, adolescence, and transition to adulthood. Participants will gain insight into the often overlooked needs of individuals with profound autism and their families, including siblings. The session also introduces the work of the Profound Autism Alliance and its mission to ensure that individuals with profound autism are included in advocacy and research.

Increasing Academic Engagement

📅Date: April 24, 2026
⌚Time: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. OR 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Topic: Planning Group and Partnership Activities to Optimize Shared Participation (K-12)

This session focuses on strategies designed to optimize shared participation among all learners through group and partnership learning. Ideas for planning, adding structure, and facilitating learning to increase individual contribution and collaboration are embedded. 

Building Strong Foundations: An Introduction to the Pyramid Model for Preschool Educators

📅Date: May 8, 2026
⌚Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Zoom

This session introduces preschool educators to the Pyramid Model, a framework for promoting young children’s social-emotional development and preventing challenging behavior. Participants will explore how strong relationships, supportive environments, and intentional teaching practices create a foundation for positive behavior and learning. The training will also highlight practical strategies educators can begin using immediately in their preschool classrooms.

Peer to Peer Lunch & Learn

📅Date: May 13, 2026
⌚Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom

Bring your lunch and join us for a session on how Peer to Peer programs support inclusion, student success, and positive school culture. Designed as a foundation or refresher, this Lunch and Learn introduces key tools like the Peer to Peer Playbooks, the Friendship Formula, and “Participation vs. Helping” models. Participants will leave with ready-to-use resources and time for Q&A to plan next steps for launching or strengthening Peer to Peer in their own setting.

The Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START) Project is funded by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and is housed in the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Autism Education Center (AEC). 

START Project | autismed@gvsu.edu | (616) 331-6480