Ingham Insights November 2025
Across Ingham County, more than 6,700 students receive special education supports tailored to their individual needs. Among them, some benefit from services provided by Ingham ISD's Adaptive Physical Education, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy specialists, who work together to help every child experience the joy and benefits of movement.
Through activities that build coordination, confidence and strength, students engage in the same opportunities as their peers while learning independence and trust. Our teams also help students manage sensory challenges, preparing them to navigate spaces that aren’t always adapted for their needs.
While not all intermediate school districts offer Adaptive Physical Education, Ingham ISD is proud to provide these opportunities across our programs—helping every child grow, move and reach their limitless potential. Learn more about this work from our team here.
Heidi Gascon, Literacy Consultant and Coach at Ingham ISD, recently served as a facilitator at a four-day Intensive Coaching Institute for the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA). Hosted at the Webster Kindergarten Center in Escanaba, the objective of the institute was to provide literacy coaches with the latest MAISA Essential Coaching Practices, specifically on interactive writing.
The training provided coaching practice during peer feedback cycles. Coaches also learned how to improve the feedback they provide to teachers back in their own districts. Over the past seven years, thirty-one schools in Michigan have now hosted the four-day institute. Read the full story here.
Way to go, Heidi! Thank you for representing Ingham ISD in the Upper Peninsula! #InghamImpact
Help Me Grow Ingham is a free service for families with children from pregnancy through age five. The program connects families to local resources that support early learning, child development and overall family well-being. Whether a caregiver is looking for help with developmental milestones, preschool options or community programs, Help Me Grow offers personal support to make those connections easier.
One recent example highlights the kind of impact this program has. A young woman had just taken custody of her two younger brothers, both with developmental delays. She was trying to manage the Head Start and Build Up processes on her own and was becoming overwhelmed. A Help Me Grow Care Coordinator helped her schedule developmental screenings, complete preschool applications and connect with a county advocate after discovering issues with her guardianship paperwork. The caregiver later shared, “I have no idea how I would have set all of this up for them without your help. Thank you so much.”
Families can call or text (844) 464-0005 to get connected with a Care Coordinator. Providers, caregivers, and community partners can also use this referral link to connect families directly to Help Me Grow Ingham.
Help Me Grow is here to support families when they need it most—offering trusted guidance and real solutions to help young children thrive.
Education Unpacked Podcast
In our latest podcast, we take a closer look at how the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act work together to ensure every student receives the support they need to learn and thrive. We explore the civil-rights foundation of Section 504, how IDEA provides specialized instruction and related services through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and how 504 Plans extend access to students who may not qualify under IDEA.
Listeners will hear how educators, specialists and families collaborate to make these plans effective and gain practical insight on navigating eligibility, understanding rights and supporting students’ success in every classroom.
Listen now to Episode 4: IEPs vs. 504 Plans: Unpacking Eligibility, Rights & Support Teams
