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 is due March 2, 2026. Please know that we will be flexible if you need more time. 

Peer to Peer Program Data is 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 Individual EPLI Trainer Report is now available! 

This form is intended for Current EPLI Trainers of START Content to report their training activity to START and their respective RCN. Visit the START website for more information on delivering professional learning and completing continuing education. 

Submission Deadlines:
This form should be submitted twice a year:

As a reminder, trainers should submit this form at both deadlines, even if they have no training activity or continuing education to report. 

Please contact START (autismed@gvsu.edu) if you have any questions.

The Comprehensive Communication Supports and Strategies (CCSS) Student Plan is intended to offer a coordinated set of templates to support students who use or are learning to use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Visit the START website to check out this new resource.

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!

→ 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. 

25th Anniversary START Speaker Series

📅Date: March 3, 2026
⌚Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Zoom
Presenter: Mike Marotta
Title: Assistive Technology Strategies for Inclusive Learning

This interactive 2-hour webinar explores practical assistive technology (AT) strategies that promote access, engagement, and independence for all learners. Participants will examine how AT can be intentionally integrated into inclusive learning environments to reduce barriers and support diverse learning needs. Solutions will highlight solutions along the AT continuum from no tech to low tech to high tech. These inclusive strategies can be implemented immediately into the educational environments.

Increasing Academic Engagement

📅Date: March 5, 2026
⌚Time: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. OR 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Topic: Visual Strategies: Considerations for Meaningful Visual Strategies (K-12)

In this session, participants explore how visual supports can promote independence, communication, and engagement. The session will highlight examples of visuals that have been designed and adapted to connect with all students.

Level Up Peer to Peer

📅Date: March 6, 2026
⌚Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: In-person, Lansing

Have you started your Peer to Peer Program and want to bring some excitement to your program?

This interactive, one-day training is designed for leaders of established Peer to Peer programs ready to take their programs to the next level. Participants will explore new content, collaborate with fellow P2P leaders, and share ideas and successes from their own programs. 

Toilet Training and Adaptive Skills in Early Childhood

📅Date: March 6, 2026
⌚Time: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. OR 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom

Toilet training is a vital part of early childhood education and this training highlights effective ways to teach it. Participants will explore strategies for promoting independence in toileting and adaptive skills using systematic programming. Educators and families will gain tools and resources to work together in creating personalized plans based on each child’s needs and goals, with examples of successful approaches included.

Behavior Escalation and Scripts

📅Date: March 12 and 19, 2026
⌚Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
This event is co-sponsored by START and the MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center. 

Educators understand that a consistent, predictable, and positive environment sets students up for success and prevents many behavioral challenges. But what happens when it doesn’t? This two-part series will cover the cycle of behavioral escalation, including the course it takes, the behaviors that students engage in during that course, and what appropriate adult responses are needed.

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.

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