What is the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)?

The Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) is a document that is used to provide early intervention services for your child (birth to age three). It contains information about your child’s five areas of development: cognitive, physical, communication, social and emotional, and adaptive skills. This information is gathered through evaluations and assessments. The IFSP explains the services that will be provided and what the desired outcomes for your child are. It also identifies who the IFSP team members are.

Who is the IFSP team?

IFSP team members include people who were involved in your child’s initial evaluation, their service coordinator, and service providers. In Minnesota, it is likely that your primary service provider also acts as your family’s service coordinator.

What is Part C?

Part C is a section of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that defines early intervention services, including how and where they are provided. Part C regulations require that services be provided in your child’s natural environment and end on their third birthday. They also require IFSPs to be reviewed every six months and rewritten annually.

What is the evaluation and assessment process?

An evaluation looks at your child’s strengths and what they need to learn. The areas of development that are included in an evaluation are:

• Physical development like health, motor skills, and sensory issues
• Communication and understanding
• Cognitive development like thinking, play skills, and problem solving
• Social-emotional development like engagement and coping skills
• Adaptive skills like feeding, dressing, toileting, and sleeping

The evaluation team will look at the evaluation and assessment results to decide if your child is eligible for early intervention services.