IFSP meaning in Community ?

An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is a plan to obtain special education services for young children within U.S. public schools. It is provided by law to families of eligible children from birth to 3 years old. The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) is the federal law that provides eligible children with the right to special education services. Part B of IDEA addresses the services for children from ages 3 to 21. In some states, Part C regulates services for children from birth to three years old. IDEA works to protect and provide early intervention services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or specific health conditions.

Parents have the right to request that their infant or toddler be assessed by a community agency or their home school district. They may first discuss it with their physician. An IFSP addresses the individualized needs of the child, concerns of the parents, and early intervention services. Provided through the referral process, a service coordinator works with the family to connect them with services based on the targeted needs of the child. According to IDEA part C, an at-risk infant is defined as an infant under 3 years old with developmental delays that will not likely improve without early intervention. Each state has their own specific criteria for eligibility. Under California’s education code, the infant must have at least a 33% delay in one or more areas of development. These areas include cognitive, emotional, adaptive, communication, social, motor, or other deficit. Possible services that families can obtain may include vision, hearing, speech and language services, occupational or physical therapy, and other specialized services areas.

An IFSP is provided based on the concerns of the family and the child's needs. The plan must include: an assessment of a child's present levels of development, a statement of goals, support services that will be put in place to achieve those goals, date services will begin, and name and identification of the service coordinator. It is used to provide supports and services that will enhance the child's development. A re-evaluation is usually done in 6-month intervals but can be done more often if necessary. Once a child turns 3 years old, a child is eligible to transition to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).