The Fall RCN Leadership Day will be held on October 19, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Lansing.

The RCN Leadership Day is a biannual meeting of leadership representatives from the Regional Collaborative Networks (RCN).

Registration information was sent to RCN leadership representatives on September 8, 2026. Please contact your RCN leadership representative for more information.

In this Learning Bite, explore the Peer Friendship Formula and how repeated, shared experiences can create opportunities for authentic friendships between students with and without disabilities.

As participants in the program, all students have valued roles. Their voices are engaged and respected. No group is better or less than others; no group is identified as helpers while others are helpees. Students are equally valued and they recognize and appreciate what they learn from one another.

→ We highly encourage the RCN to share information about START's 2026-2027 Trainings and Training Series with staff, community members, and families across your region. 

Inclusive Academic Engagement
Topic: Beyond the Icebreaker: Building a True Culture of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Belonging

📅Date: September 29, 2026
⌚Time: 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. OR 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom

Belonging isn't built in a single activity; it's built in the everyday moments of a classroom. This session helps general and special educators move past one-time icebreakers toward SEL practices that create a lasting culture of connection for every student. You'll walk away with real classroom examples and practical strategies you can weave into routines you already use. Expect interactive discussion and take-home tools designed for immediate classroom use. 

Balance in Schools: A Skill-Building Approach to Emerging Problem Behavior

📅Date: October 8, 2026
⌚Time: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom

The Balance Program is a proactive, skill-building approach designed to prevent the worsening of early problem behavior in young children with developmental disabilities. Grounded in behavioral and early childhood research, the program includes 10 customizable lessons. This training provides an overview of the program, implementation guidance, and strategies for adapting lessons to individual learner needs. Participants will receive manuals, data sheets, session logs, and other resources to support implementation. 

Early Childhood Independence and Engagement through Expectations and Routines

📅Date: October 9, 2026
⌚Time: 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom

Participants will be oriented to the use of evidence-based strategies for promoting independence and engagement for young children with autism and related disabilities in early childhood settings. In this presentation, participants will learn about developing expectations and ways of patterning behavior to promote independence. Predictability and consistency will be emphasized as a way to build and strengthen neural connections that support learning, engagement, and positive relationships. Strategies will be presented to support learning success and independence including establishing expectations, task analyzing and teaching routines, and utilizing a prompt hierarchy. 

Harm Prevention and Neurodiverse Students

📅Date: October 13, 2026
⌚Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom

The presentation will consider the unique behavioral characteristics of autistic students, the assessment of harm to self and others, as well as intervention and support considerations to prevent harm. The presentation will introduce the BTAM (Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management) & ASD tool as a resource to help school-based teams assess behavioral risk and inform prevention plans that support safe school environments. 

Using the CETA to Promote Evidence-Based Classroom Practices

📅Dates (6 Modules): October 21, 2026; November 18, 2026; December 9, 2026; January 13, 2027; February 3, 2027; and February 24, 2027
⌚Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
Location: Virtual via Zoom

This six-module training series is designed for school teams, including special education administrators, building leaders, general and special education teachers, ancillary staff, and paraeducators. Using the Classroom Environmental and Teaching Assessment (CETA), teams will engage in data-informed reflection to evaluate current practices and identify areas for growth. Through collaboration, school teams will develop a shared action plan to strengthen instruction and improve outcomes for students with autism and higher support needs.

Behavior Escalation and Scripts

📅Date: October 22, 2026
⌚Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Note: Behavior Series attendees should not sign up for this training separately. This training is integrated into the Behavior Series.

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 training 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.

This event is co-sponsored by START and the MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center.

FAPE in the LRE

📅Date: October 27, 2026
⌚Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
Location: Virtual via Zoom

Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is the foundation of special education. What do these terms really mean? How do we ensure that we are providing FAPE in the LRE? It is critical that all educational staff, including administrators, general and special education teachers, itinerant and ancillary staff, and support staff, understand these terms and the related obligation of each in order to appropriately support students with disabilities. This session will include activities and tools to enhance learning.

Inclusive Academic Engagement
Topic: For Every Learner: Making Universal Supports Everyday Practice

📅Date: October 28, 2026
⌚Time: 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. OR 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom

Universal supports work best when they're not an afterthought, but a built-in part of daily instruction. This session shows general and special educators how to make supports that benefit every learner into everyday practice. Participants will see real classroom examples and leave with easy-to-use ideas they can try right away. The session includes interactive discussion and practical tools to ensure support is relevant to the lesson, not extra. 

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