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IFSP vs IEP

For children with disabilities ages 3 to 21 years in Nebraska, the public schools are required to establish an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to outline the plan for implementing special education and related services.

For children under the age of 3 years with disabilities, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) must be developed to outline the intent of multiple agencies and service providers to assist the parents in meeting the needs of their family and child. A Service Coordinator is responsible for development and coordination of the IFSP services.

The IFSP and the IEP have some similarities but also some important differences.

Components of the IFSP and IEP

IFSP (Ages under 3)

IEP (Ages 3-21)

Statement of the child's levels of development across all developmental domains. Statement of the student's present level of development or educational performance.
A statement of the family's and child's strengths and needs, resources and priority concerns. A statement of student's needs.
A statement of major outcomes expected in the next 6-12 months for the child and family with functional criteria to measure progress of each outcome. A statement of annual goals describing anticipated student behavior and a statement of measurable benchmarks or short-term objectives with appropriate criteria and evaluation of achievement of goals and objectives.
Statement of services necessary to meet the needs of the child and family including services from education, health and social service agencies as well as informal networks and resources. Statement of specific special education and related school services to be provided to the student by school-supported personnel.
The projected dates for initiation and duration of each service across agencies and the frequency, intensity, location and structure of each service. The projected date for initiation, frequency and anticipated duration of school services.
A statement justifying the use of settings other than "natural environments." A statement justifying the use of settings other than the regular classroom with non-disabled children.
A listing of persons responsible for implementation of individual services as well as parties (persons or agencies) responsible for payment of services. A list of individuals responsible for implementing the IEP services.
Name of the Services Coordinator. --
Steps to be taken to support smooth transition of needed services to preschool-age services, programs, systems. --

Participation in the IFSP development meeting must include at least:

  • The child's parents
  • Other family members as requested by parent
  • Family/child advocate at parent request
  • Services Coordinator
  • One member of the MDT
  • Representative of the school district who can commit funds for educational services outlined
  • Expected service providers who will deliver the outlined servic

Participation in the IEP meeting must include at least:

  • The student's parents
  • One member of the MDT
  • The student (when appropriate)
  • A representative of school district qualified to provide or supervise the services outlined
  • The student's teacher
  • Non-Public School representative (when applicable)
  • Others at the invitation of parent or district
Ensure that content of IFSP reflects parental concerns, is developed in conjunction with parents, builds on and utilizes family strengths and resources and addresses family needs as well as child needs

Ensure that the student's parents are members of any group that makes decisions about the student's educational placement of their child.

 

Download a PDF of the components chart.

 
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