You should have a meeting to develop the IFSP as soon as possible but no later than 45 days from your child’s referral to the EI program. There are no charges or costs for developing the plan. Your service coordinator and IFSP team will help you:
- identify your concerns and priorities for meeting your child’s needs,
- develop Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) outcomes for your child and family,
- agree on services and supports to help your child and family meet
those identified outcomes, and - determine whether services are subject to fees.
What Is an IFSP?
The Individualized Family Service Plan is a plan that you develop with your EI team. The plan reflects your priorities and concerns for your child. You identify the outcomes (e.g., for your child to walk, for your child to say a word, for your child to initiate a hug) that you want for your child and your family or caregivers. These are statements that describe changes and benefits that you want to see for your child and family. You and the team also identify services for meeting these outcomes.
You might begin by asking two questions:
- What benefits do I want my child and family to receive from EI?
- What will be different or better for my child and family when these changes occur?
Services outlined in the IFSP are intended to support three overarching outcomes:
- Gaining and using knowledge and skills.
- Building positive social relationships.
- Using appropriate behaviors to meet their needs.
It will also include family outcomes. Three important outcomes include:
- understanding your child’s strengths, abilities, and needs;
- helping your child develop and learn; and
- knowing your legal rights regarding services for your child.
Who Should Be Involved in Developing the IFSP?
Your service coordinator will explain the IFSP process to you and set up the meeting to plan the IFSP. The service coordinator will work with you to identify a date and location that is convenient for you. You will receive a written notice confirming the meeting. The meeting should be conducted in your primary language. You may ask for an interpreter if you communicate in a language other than English and one will be provided to you, if available.
The meeting will include you, the service coordinator, and evaluation team. You may invite family, friends, or anyone else to be involved. Remember that you are an equal partner in the planning and creation of this plan and may discuss changes upon request.
Why Do You Sign the IFSP?
Once you and your team agree on outcomes and services for the IFSP, you will sign and receive a copy of the plan. Your signature indicates that you agree with the plan as written, or with changes you specify on the implementation page. Your service coordinator also will help you determine whether you will need to pay a monthly family participation fee for EI services based on your family income and other factors.
You and your IFSP team will review your child’s progress every six months and update the plan at least once a year. If your needs change, you and your team can meet more often to change the plan if needed.
Next step: Early Intervention Services