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Guidelines for the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Under Part C of IDEA

INFORMATION SHEET

WHAT IS PART C

Part C, formerly Part H, of IDEA is a discretionary program which awards grants to states to provide early intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) who have disabilities, including developmental delays, and their families. In order for a state to participate in the program it must assure that early intervention will be available to every eligible child and his/her family. Each state defines developmental delay and may choose to serve infants and toddlers at risk of developing disabilities. The governor designates a lead agency - usually health and human services or education - which receives the grant and administers the program. The Governor also appoints an Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC), which includes parents of young children with disabilities, to advise and assist the lead agency. Unlike Part B, services are not necessarily free. Agencies are allowed to charge for services on a sliding scale. Currently, all states participate in Part C.

DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER PART C

A multi-disciplinary team made up of family members and two or more qualified professionals evaluate the child’s performance in physical, motor, sensory, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and adaptive development. If a child is found eligible for early intervention services, an Individual Family Service Plan is developed.

THE INDIVIDUAL FAMILY SERVICE PLAN

The process of developing the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is similar to that of developing an IEP in that the child’s needs and services are determined on an individual basis. However, in addition to the related services provided in Part B, the IFSP also includes family support services, nutrition services, and case management. An IFSP must contain information about:

  1. The infant's or toddler's present levels of physical, cognitive, communication, social or emotional, and adaptive development.
  2. The family's resources, priorities and concerns relating to enhancing the development of the infant or toddler.
  3. The major outcomes expected to be achieved for the infant or toddler and his or her family, as well as criteria for determining progress made toward such outcomes. Any revisions of either outcomes or services to achieve them must also be included.
  4. The specific early intervention services necessary to meet the unique needs of the infant or toddler and the family, including the frequency, intensity and method of delivery.
  5. The natural environments in which the early intervention services will be provided, including a justification of the extent, if any, to which the services will not be provided.
  6. The date the services will begin and their anticipated duration.
  7. The identification of the service coordinator, from the profession most immediately relevant to the infant's or toddler's family's needs, who will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the plan with the other agencies and persons.
  8. The steps to be taken to support the transition of the toddler with a disability to preschool or other appropriate services.

THE SERVICE COORDINATOR

The service coordinator helps the family get the services and supports that the child needs, as described on the IFSP until the child turns three or until he or she no longer needs early intervention. The service coordinator also provides knowledge of the law, of community resources and will help connect the family with other parents. Service coordination is free to families and should include:

  1. Providing verbal and written information in the family's native language.
  2. Coordinating the performance of evaluations and assessments.
  3. Facilitating and participating in the development, review and evaluation of the IFSP, assuring that the family's priorities are being addressed.
  4. Identifying and facilitating the delivery of appropriate and available supports, services, resources and advocacy services.
  5. Coordinating with medical and health providers when needed.
  6. Initiating transition planning when the child is two and a half years old.

TRANSITION FROM PART C TO PART B:

A child who is served under Part C is not necessarily eligible for services under Part B of IDEA. If a child is found to be ineligible for services under Part B, the parents may use the mediation or due process procedures under Part B to challenge that decision. Even if a child is found eligible for services under Part B, a school district is not necessarily required to continue to provide the same services identified in a child's IFSP under Part C. School districts are free to conduct an initial evaluation of the child and convene an IEP meeting to design the IEP from scratch, provided the district adheres to the generally applicable time frames for evaluation.

January 2002

Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349
Phone (412) 341-1515 Fax (412) 344-0224
www.LDAAmerica.org

© 2004 LDA of America