What is an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
The IFSP process consists of the gathering, sharing, and exchange of information between families and staff to enable families to make informed choices about the early intervention services they want for their children.
An IFSP must contain information about:
- The infant's or toddler's present levels of physical, cognitive, communication, social or emotional, and adaptive development.
- The family's resources, priorities and concerns relating to enhancing the development of the infant or toddler.
- The major outcomes expected to be achieved for the infant or toddler and his or her family, as well as criteria for determining progress made toward such outcomes. Any revisions of either outcomes or services to achieve them must also be included.
- The specific early intervention services necessary to meet the unique needs of the infant or toddler and the family, including the frequency, intensity and method of delivery.
- The natural environments in which the early intervention services will be provided, including a justification of the extent, if any, to which the services will not be provided.
- The date the services will begin and their anticipated duration.
- The identification of the service coordinator, from the profession most immediately relevant to the infant's or toddler's family's needs, who will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the plan with the other agencies and persons.
- The steps to be taken to support the transition of the toddler with a disability to preschool or other appropriate services.