The
IFSP as a Living Document
 Unlike
the IEP for an older child or other “reports”,
the IFSP is considered a “living document”.
As
such, 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.
For example, the IFSP “lives” as a
document to facilitate the decision on Social Security
Income, Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers, and
other HHSS program and services. The IFSP then serves
as a plan of services for families across all community
programs that serve the child and family.
In
addition, the IFSP document should “live”
in guiding professional visits with families and children.
The IFSP be referred to at the start and/or finish of
each service/visit with family and care providers. Professionals
and family members should use this document to reflect
on family/child strengths and priorities discussed and
agreed to at the IFSP meeting. The frequent review of
the document can also assist in guiding future plans,
specific actions and discussions about old and new priorities.
New
Outcomes can be added to the IFSP between scheduled
IFSP meetings/reviews. As new concerns arise (by
professionals or family members) and available services
are identified to meet these needs, new outcomes should
be written. This means a new IFSP Outcome page (page
7a) should be completed and added to the IFSP in
cooperation with the Services Coordinator. A copy of
the new outcome page should be shared with all team
members by mail or FAX.
Other
reasons that might prompt an amendment in the current
IFSP document between scheduled IFSP meetings include:
- Child's
growth and development that makes old outcomes obsolete
(“accomplished”) and new targets appropriate
for services
- Child
or family illness that influences the scheduling or
focus of current services
- Changes
in family finances that may influence insurance coverage
of services or a move to a new community/residence
and new prompt new challenges/needs
- Child
care issues that warrant attention to the providers'
needs and setting specific behaviors/challenges.
- New
diagnosis following appointments with doctors or a
hospitalization
- Adjustments
in team services due to staffing challenges.
Some
of these events may require that an IFSP meeting be
called for the full team in order to discuss particular
actions that may impact on many players.
- A
formal IFSP meeting is required if services are changed
in terms of the agency providing services or the intensity
or frequency of services provided by public schools.
But
if the family, Services Coordinator and professionals
who identify a new outcome are able to articulate a
useful and agreeable plan of action without changing
the frequency or intensity of existing services from
the public schools, no full-team meeting is necessary
and a new Outcome page (pg.
7a) can be completed. The Services Coordinator will
be responsible for assuring that all team members are
aware of these additions/changes.
For
example:
The
Occupational Therapist working with the family
and child on outcomes targeted at reaching
and independent play with toys is informed
by the family that the child has failed to
advance to eating table foods like the other
children in the family at around age 10-12
months of age. The family is quite concerned
about the child's persistent reliance
on the bottle and resistance to any foods
other than three select strained baby foods.
The child reportedly chokes, gags and vomits
whenever the family tries to introduce lumpier
solids or mashed table foods. The family asks
for help in this area.
After
some initial observation of the parents'
efforts to feed the child and some mutual
problem solving, it is agreed that the OT
could offer some assistance in guiding the
family through some new strategies for introduction
of table foods. The OT and/or the parent would
contact the Services Coordinator and if necessary,
ask for a mini conference to discuss the addition
of a new IFSP Outcome. Once all three members
are informed and agreeable, the new IFSP Outcome
page is written, copied and shared with other
team members. The OT would address this new
outcome as part of her already scheduled services.
If
the family raises this feeding issue with
a professional who does not feel competent
to pursue this area of development/intervention,
the appropriately trained team member should
be notified. The feeding specialist would
observe and brainstorm with the parent some
strategies that might be reasonable to consider.
Again with the Services Coordinator, the three-some
could complete a new Outcome page and amend
the Services page (pg. 8) if it means additional
or new professional services. If the feeding
specialist is going to be a new direct or
consultative service for the family/team,
and this is a school-based employee, the
appropriate administrator must also be informed
and approve the additional services.
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Finally,
when formal IFSP meetings are held, new Outcome
pages can be added following discussion with the family.
NO NEW IFSP DOCUMENT IS NECSSARY.
Instead, teams are encouraged to keep the original IFSP
document “alive” and amend it by adding as
needed:
-
(dated) updated Concerns (page 2),
-
updated Child Abilities (pages 4,5,6 ),
-
progress statements on each Outcome page (page 7a),
-
attachment of new Outcomes pages (page 7a) and
-
amendment of the Services page (page 8)
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