Statewide Autism Resources & Training (START)

“When we elevate student voices and create spaces and opportunities to learn from students with disabilities, we move from doing things for students to doing things with them. It shifts school communities from “a place I go” to “a place where I belong” and that is when mattering begins.”

In this month’s START Connecting article, we highlight simple, intentional actions that we can take to make schools places of belonging. These actions include asking students for their ideas, listening carefully, and showing them that their voices matter with how we respond and the opportunities we provide!

Learn more about elevating student voices here: https://www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter/elevating-student-voices-turning-belonging-into-practice-652.htm

[ID: Students engaged in conversation around a table in a library setting. A purple overlay on the left side includes the START 25 Years Together logo and a white envelope icon with a cursor. Curved blue, white, and purple lines flow vertically across the center and upper right of the image.]

Transition planning helps students with disabilities prepare for life after high school. It is a collaborative process where students, families, school teams, and community partners work together to support each student’s goals, strengths, and vision for the future.

The goal is to help create a smooth transition from school to adult life, including education, employment, and community participation. Transition planning is part of the secondary IEP process and must begin by age 16, though teams may start earlier when appropriate.

Visit our website to learn more about the components of Secondary Transition: https://gvsu.edu/s/3ws

[ID: Four smiling high school students stand outside a school building wearing casual clothes and backpacks. One student holds notebooks, another holds a yellow basketball, and two wear headphones around their necks. A blue graphic overlay appears behind the group, with the START logo and the text “25 Years Together” in the top left corner.]

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has a grant opportunity for schools to develop and implement Peer to Peer programs to address bullying of students with special health care needs at elementary and secondary schools.

The initiatives should be based on START’s Peer to Peer model and incorporate targeted antibullying strategies that address the unique needs of students with physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions.

If you have questions, please contact [email protected]. The application is available here: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/04/23/antibullying-gfo

[ID: The image shows five smiling elementary-age students standing together in a classroom. A blue overlay on the left side features a white megaphone icon and large bold text reading “GRANT OPPORTUNITY.” The START logo appears at the bottom with the text “25 Years Together.”]

Thank you for joining us at the 25th Annual START Conference! We were thrilled to welcome such passionate and engaged educators, families, community members, and advocates!

Your participation through conversations, collaboration, and shared learning made the day truly meaningful. We are grateful to work alongside this incredible community as we continue building an inclusive future where all students belong, are valued, and can shape their own journey.

We are already looking forward to next year’s conference! 🎉

Tell us your top takeaways from Dr. Shelley Moore at the START Conference 👇🏼🤩🦄🦇

5 Moore Minutes with Dr. Shelley Moore is kicking off the 25th Annual START Conference! We have a full room of educators, families, and community partners (plus virtual attendees from all over the state) ready to learn about designing an inclusive future! 🎉

[ID: Image 1: Large conference room filled with attendees seated at round tables, facing a stage with a speaker and two large projection screens displaying a presentation about inclusion. The room has high ceilings, chandeliers, and neutral-toned decor, with participants taking notes, using laptops, and listening attentively.
Image 2: Presenter standing at a podium on a conference stage, gesturing while speaking to an audience seated at tables in the foreground. A large screen beside the stage displays a slide reading “What does inclusion mean?” with colorful circular graphics, and event signage is visible behind the speaker.]

Peer to Peer Lunch & Learn

📆 May 13, 2026 | ⏰11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | 💻Virtual

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.

More details and registration: https://www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter/cms-form-edit.htm?formId=74924D74-F1DA-6DA8-28B44D07CF70643A

[ID: Image for “Peer to Peer START Project” training opportunity. On the left, a blue gradient background features the START logo with “25 Years Together” and a megaphone icon next to the words “Peer to Peer.” A banner reads “Training Opportunity!” On the right, a person wearing a gray turtleneck works on a laptop at a desk, with a plant and a framed board in the background.]

🎉🎉We are excited to share that we opened up more in-person spots for the 25th Annual START Conference! This year's conference is featuring Shelley Moore, Ph.D., Elizabeth E. Biggs, Ph.D., and Mateo Moreno. If you are interested in attending, please register soon because we have limited spots available registration closes on April 28, 2026.

We hope you will join us for this milestone celebration: https://www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter/start-conference-167.htm

🎉 Registration is OPEN! 🎉
Join us for the 25th Annual START Conference: Building on the Past and Designing the Future!

📅 May 4, 2026
📍 Lansing Center
💻 In-person & virtual options available

Featuring Keynote Speakers:
• Shelley Moore, Ph.D.
• Elizabeth E. Biggs, Ph.D.
• Mateo Moreno

This year marks 25 years of the START Project, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! Together, we’re celebrating every path, empowering every voice, and building inclusive futures where all students belong, are valued, and can shape their own journey.

We hope you’ll join us for this milestone celebration! https://www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter/start-conference-167.htm

[Image description: Text reads “25th Annual START Conference: Building on the Past and Designing the Future.” The image features three circular photos of keynote speakers, with Shelley Moore displayed on the left, alongside Elizabeth E. Biggs and Mateo Moreno. The START logo and “25 Years Together” appear in the lower left over a blue background with a faint audience scene.]

“[I]nclusion is not just a value. It is a commitment to action. Inclusion requires us to prepare and shape environments for all students, invite peers in, and elevate student voices and perspectives.”

In this month’s START Connecting article, we highlight thinking differently and moving beyond traditional approaches to create environments where all students participate meaningfully.

Learn more about our commitment to inclusion here:
https://www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter/start-connecting-25-years-together-645.htm

[ID: A young child wearing blue headphones uses a computer keyboard while an adult assists in the background. A purple gradient overlay on the left includes the text “START 25 Years Together” and an envelope icon, suggesting communication or messaging.]

30-Minute Professional Learning Opportunity!
Planning Group and Partnership Activities to Optimize Shared Participation (K-12)

📆April 24, 2026
⏰8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
💻 Virtual

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.

More details and registration: https://www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter/cms-form-edit.htm?formId=590E2C55-DBC2-CABF-B8B2C8B6EE46C8C8

[Image description: A smiling teacher stands at the front of a colorful classroom, pointing toward a student with an encouraging expression. Children in the foreground raise their hands eagerly. Behind the teacher, a chalkboard decorated with drawings and classroom materials is visible, along with a world map on the wall. The START Project’s “25 Years Together” logo appears in the upper left corner, and a banner reading “Training Opportunity!” runs along the bottom.]