What is an Individual
Family Service Plan (IFSP)?
IFSP stands for Individualized Family Service Plan. It is a written
plan for providing early intervention services for children and their
families. It is based on recommendations and evaluations from the Early
Childhood Development team mentioned above. In addition to the parents
and CDS staff, this team may include:
- Audiologists (hearing specialists)
- Speech-language pathologists
- Family therapists
- Special educators
- Nurses
- Social Workers
- Nutritionists
- Psychologists (for emotional and behavioral issues)
- Occupational
therapists
- Pediatricians/physicians
- Physical Therapists
At the meeting the team writes the initial Individualized Family
Service Plan (IFSP). This plan includes:
- Strengths and needs of the
child
- Goals and objectives of the plan
- Services needed to meet goals
- Ensuring the child is not isolated (least
restrictive environment)
- Other community services needed
The Early Childhood Team makes the decision together about services
that may be needed. Parents have the option to decline any or all
services. Services can begin once the IFSP is written. Therapy providers
develop
their plans of care. The CDS provides ongoing case management to
ensure that services are provided as written in the plan.
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