Developing
a Great IFSP
Reviewing
Family Concerns and Priorities
The IFSP meeting will begin by reviewing the concerns
and/or priorities the family has identified over the
past weeks during interviews, assessments and informal
contacts with the Services Coordinator, school personnel,
doctors, nurses and family members.
Describing
a Child’s Present Abilities
Once the family concerns and priorities have been established,
the IFSP meeting facilitator will offer or solicit a
brief summary of how/why this child is eligible for
special services in the community.
Developing
and Prioritizing Functional Child and Family Outcomes
This portion of the IFSP meeting should include a discussion
of the family’s and professional’s views about
important family/child outcomes that would be possible
in the next six months.
Natural
Environments
A good IFSP outlines intervention supports to be provided
in a child’s “natural environments” whenever
possible.
Utilizing
Family Strengths and Resources for Each Outcome
A philosophy of Family-Centered Services demands programs
be built on existing strengths of the family and the
child.
Describing
Team Services for Each Outcome
Based on the family’s and child’s needs and
available strengths and resources, the IFSP team can
discuss how services will be scheduled and coordinated
to achieve targeted outcomes.
IFSP
as a Living Document
The IFSP document assists in documenting eligibility
for both education and non-education related programs
and services and should be an integral part of the ongoing
IFSP process after early intervention services are initiated.
Planning
for Transitions
The transition plans should be outlined in the IFSP
as soon as an anticipated change in services is considered.
Quiz - Developing an IFSP
Test your knowledge of the material contained in this section of IFSPWeb. If you want to keep track of your journey and results through the website you must login to create your profile. After you login, complete the quiz at the end of the module. If you are sharing your results with a supervisor, your supervisor must login to create a profile so that they can view your results. If you need assistance you can email: librarian@answers4families.org or call 1-800-746-8420 or 402-472-0844.
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