What is the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)?

The Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) is used to provide early intervention services to children from birth to age three. It includes information that has been gathered from evaluations and assessments about your child’s areas of development. The IFSP explains the services that will be provided and what the desired outcomes for your child are. It also identifies the IFSP team members, including a primary service provider.

What is Evidence-Based Quality Intervention Practices (EQIP)?

Evidence-Based Quality Intervention Practices (EQIP) build your family’s capacity to help your child grow and learn. EQIP is designed to empower and support your family while helping your child develop necessary skills. Members of the IFSP team spend time with your family and learn about the concerns and priorities for your child’s development. After, team members will offer intervention strategies to try in your daily routine.

What does early intervention in natural environments look like?

A natural environment is any place where your child and family lives, learns, and plays. Providing early intervention services in a natural environment allows your child to use their own toys and surroundings to help them develop and grow. It also helps your family learn how to include your child in the community. Natural environments are made up of:

• Settings such as a home, backyard, or place of work
• Materials like toys, books, grass, or a highchair
• People such as parents, siblings, teachers, or friends
• Activities like eating, playing, shopping, and celebrating holidays

What is service coordination?

Service coordination is a mandated part of the IFSP. It is an active, ongoing process that helps your family access individualized and effective early intervention services for your child. The service coordinator informs your family of their rights and helps with evaluations and assessments, the delivery of services, and the coordination of funding sources. They also help your family plan for transition to special education as your child grows.