What Is An IFSP?

 The IFSP is a written plan which is the framework for meeting the unique needs of your child and family. It is based on your child’s strengths and your family’s concerns and priorities.

The IFSP is not a final document - your family’s IFSP should be reviewed frequently, at least every six months, and changed as necessary.

The law requires that the first IFSP be developed within 45 days of your child’s referral for early intervention services. The meeting should not be held, however, until all of the necessary assessment information has been gathered and until you have had the opportunity to share your family’s concerns, priorities, and resources with all involved people.

Who attends the IFSP meeting?

 You may invite anyone you want to the meeting(s) to develop or update your child's IFSP. The people you include may be some or all the team members involved in your child’s assessment, or any other person you would like to assist you in developing your child’s plan including other family members or friends. If you would like to include people who are unable to attend, they may send written information to be included in the discussion.

Who is the service coordinator?

 The service coordinator is the person who is responsible for coordinating all early intervention services and helping parents to identify and obtain the services and assistance they need to help their child’s development. The service coordinator will typically be either from Alta California Regional Center (ACRC), a Local Education Agency (LEA), or a local Infant Development Program (IDP).

When and where is the IFSP meeting held?

 This meeting must be held at a time and place that is most convenient for all persons involved and must be within 45 days of initial referral to early intervention services.

How can I prepare for the meeting?

  You know your child best! Think about the services and supports that your child and family will need, goals and desired outcomes. Write down and share your thoughts with the IFSP team.

What will my role be? What will I be expected to do?

  Other members of the team would like to hear from you about your child and family. You make the decisions about the outcomes, activities, and services you would like included in the IFSP.

What will be discussed at the IFSP meeting?

  The IFSP Planning Meeting discussion will include:

• Your child’s present level of development,

• If you choose, you may share your concerns and priorities about your child’s development and   your family’s strengths and resources,

• Major goals/outcomes for your child for the next 6-12 months,

• Specific services your child will receive,

• Any other services/resources needed by your child or family.

What will happen after the IFSP meeting?

 Services will not begin until the IFSP is signed. If you need to take extra time to review the IFSP with your family, you may do so. You do not have to sign the document right away. At the end of the meeting, you will receive a copy of the IFSP that was developed at the meeting. If photo copying equipment is not available at the meeting, a copy will be mailed to you as soon as possible.

 The IFSP can be changed as your child’s needs change. Let your service coordinator know if you want to make any changes. Before the meeting is over, be sure you are clear about what the next step will be, as well as what anyone else will be doing and when. If you have any questions, contact your service coordinator and she/he will help you get an explanation. Services should start as soon as possible after the IFSP meeting.

What the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) Contains

               The IFSP explains:

•  Your child’s present levels of physical development (including vision, hearing, and health), cognitive (thinking) development, communication development, social or emotional development, and adaptive development,

An IFSP Goal Setting Guide for Parents

 One of the most important thing that you, as a parent, can do is to participate in the setting of goals for your child. When professionals have some idea of what you would like to see happen for your child, they will be better able to provide services and programs that help meet your expectations. You know your child better than anyone else - it is reasonable that you suggest goals for your child.

Goals – what are they?

 Goals are statements about things we want for ourselves, our children and our families. Setting goals for ourselves, and working toward them is a way of turning an ambition or desire into reality. If you know what you want, you are more likely to achieve it.

Setting IFSP goals for your child is an important part of planning an early intervention program. IFSP goals are statements that tell what skills or behaviors you would like your child and family to achieve.

Setting goals...........

 Parents can help to design their child’s early intervention program by thinking about goals that they would like to see their child reach. These goals can then be discussed at the IFSP Planning Meeting.

The following exercises are designed to give you practice in identifying important, realistic, and reachable goals for your child.

Remember: A goal describes a skill or behavior you would like to see your child learn or improve or something your family can achieve together.

IFSP Preparation Guide

 Each family receiving early intervention services has their own priorities, concerns, and resources. Please use this form to help you focus on what services might be most useful to your family. Your concerns will probably change from time to time, and this is just the beginning in the planning process that the IFSP team will use. Answer those questions that you think will help the team know how to be most helpful to you and your family.

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