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Early Steps Policy Handbook
7/1/2010

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA Denotes a federal imposed policy required by the IDEA
State imposed policy not required by the IDEA Denotes a state imposed policy not required by the IDEA or federal regulation

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Component 5.0

Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP)

Authority:

IDEA Sections 636, 637
34 CFR Sections 303.12, 303.321, 303.340, 303.342, 303.343, 303.344, 303.345, 303.346, 303.404

Intent:

These policies are intended to ensure that all eligible children and their families have a plan of supports and services that is based on shared assessment information and knowledge, meets the unique needs of each child and family, and is developed in an open forum that supports the collaborative partnership between parents and professionals.

Sections:

5.1.0

General Authority

Page 1

 

5.2.0 

Accessibility and Convenience of IFSP Meetings

Page 2

 

5.3.0 

The Content of the Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP)

Page 3

 

5.4.0 

Interim IFSP

Page 6

 

5.5.0

Initial Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP)

Page 6

 

5.6.0 

Periodic Review of the Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP)

Page 7

 

5.7.0 

Annual Evaluation of the Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP)

Page 8

 

5.1.0  General Authority

Policy

Reference/Related Documents
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.1.1 The Early Steps system shall provide for each child and family to receive: A.      a multidisciplinary assessment of the unique strengths and needs of the infant and toddler and the identification of early intervention services appropriate to meet their needs. B.     A family assessment of the resources, priorities and concerns of the family and the identification of the early intervention services and supports necessary to enhance the family’s capacity to meet the developmental needs of the infant or toddler. C.     A written Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) developed by a multidisciplinary team, including the parents.     

Policy Handbook 3.4.0

IDEA §636(a)(1)

IDEA §636(a)(2)

IDEA §636(a)(3)

 
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.1.2 The ESSO shall ensure that a written IFSP is developed and implemented for each eligible child.

34 CFR §303.340(c)

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

5.1.3 The current departmentally approved Early Steps IFSP form must be used by all Local Early Steps.

Operations Guide 5.1.3

 

5.1.4 Reserved

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

5.1.5 A copy of the interim IFSP, if applicable, initial and annual evaluation of the IFSP as well as a copy of each periodic review of the IFSP will be provided to the family and all IFSP team members (with parental consent) within 15 calendar days of the IFSP meeting.

Operations Guide 5.1.5

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.1.6 Each LES or person(s) who has a direct role in the provision of early intervention services is responsible for making a good-faith effort to assist each eligible child in achieving the outcomes in the child’s IFSP.  However, IDEA, Part C does not require the LES or person(s) to be held accountable if the child does not achieve the growth projected in their IFSP.

34 CFR §303.346

 

5.2.0  Accessibility and Convenience of IFSP Meetings

Policy

Reference/Related Documents

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.2.1 IFSP meetings are arranged by the service coordinator and held in settings and at times convenient to the family and in the native language of the family or other mode of communication used by the family, unless it is not feasible to do so.

Policy Handbook 4.2.7

Policy Handbook 8.3.1

Policy Handbook 8.3.2

Operations Guide 5.2.1

34 CFR §303.342(d)(1)(i)

34 CFR §303.342(d)(1)(ii)

 

 
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.2.2 The service coordinator must make arrangements for IFSP meetings with the family and other IFSP team members and provide notification in writing early enough before the meeting date to ensure that the family and other participants will be able to attend.

Policy Handbook 4.2.7

34 CFR §303.342(d)(2)

 

 
State imposed policy not required by the IDEA
 5.2.3 In situations where multiple agencies/ programs are serving the child and/or family, representatives from those agencies will be notified of the IFSP meeting by the service coordinator, as appropriate, and with parental consent.

Policy Handbook 4.2.1

Policy Handbook 4.2.6

Operations Guide 5.2.3

 

 

5.3.0  The Content of the Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP)

Policy

Reference/Related Documents

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.3.1 The IFSP must contain a statement of the infant's or toddler's present levels of physical development (including vision, hearing, and health status), cognitive development, communication development, social or emotional development, and adaptive skills development, based on professionally acceptable objective criteria.

Policy Handbook 3.5.2

Operations Guide 5.3.1

IDEA §636(d)(1)

34 CFR §303.344(a)(1)

34 CFR §303.344(a)(2)

 

 
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.3.2 With the concurrence of the family, the IFSP must contain a statement of the family's concerns, priorities, and resources related to enhancing the development of the child with a disability.

Operations Guide 5.3.2

IDEA §636(d)(2)

34 CFR §303.344(b)

 

 
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.3.3 The IFSP must contain a statement of measurable results or outcomes expected to be achieved for the child and the family, including pre-literacy and language skills, as developmentally appropriate. 

Operations Guide 5.3.3

IDEA §636(d)(3)

34 CFR §303.344(c)
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.3.4 The IFSP must contain a statement of the goals, criteria, procedures, and timelines used to determine the degree to which progress toward achieving the measurable results or outcomes is being made and whether modifications or revisions of the results or outcomes or services are necessary. Operations Guide 5.3.4 IDEA §636(d)(3)

34 CFR §303.344(c)(1)

34 CFR §303.344(c)(2)

 

 
State imposed policy not required by the IDEA 5.3.5 The IFSP must contain a statement of the strategies needed in order to meet the child and family’s outcomes.

Operations Guide 5.3.5
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.3.6  The IFSP must include a statement of the specific early intervention services necessary to meet the unique needs of the infant or toddler and the family to achieve the outcomes identified on the IFSP, including the following:

  1. Frequency, intensity, and method of delivering services.
  2. Location of the services.
  3. Length of the services.
  4. Funding source or payment arrangements, if any.
  5. Projected dates for initiation of services.
  6. The anticipated duration of these services.

Operations Guide 5.3.6

IDEA §636(d)(6)

34 CFR §303.344(d)(1)(i)

34 CFR §303.344(d)(1)(iii)

34 CFR §303.344(d)(1)(iv)

34 CFR §303.344(d)(2)(i)

34 CFR §303.344(d)(2)(ii)

34 CFR §303.344(d)(3)

34 CFR §303.344(f)(1)

34 CFR §303.344(f)(2)
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.3.7 The IFSP must contain a statement of the natural environment(s) in which each early intervention service will be provided and justification of the extent, if any, to which each service will not be provided in a natural environment. 

Policy Handbook 6.1.4
Policy Handbook 6.1.5

Policy Handbook 6.1.6

Operations Guide 5.3.7

IDEA §63 6(d)(5)

34 CFR §303.12(b)

34 CFR §303.344(d)(ii)

 

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.3.8 The IFSP must include, to the extent appropriate, any medical, health and other services that the child needs, or family needs related to enhancing the development of the child, but that are not required under IDEA, Part C, including any funding sources to be used in paying for those services or the steps that will be taken to secure those services through public or private sources.  This does not apply to routine medical services unless the child needs those services and they are not otherwise available or being provided.

Operations Guide 5.3.8

34 CFR §303.344(e)(1)(i)

34 CFR §303.344(e)(1)(ii)

34 CFR §303.344(e)(2)

 

  

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.3.9 The IFSP must contain the identification of the service coordinator who will be responsible for the implementation of the IFSP and coordination with other agencies and persons, including transition services.

Policy Handbook 4.1.1

Policy Handbook 4.1.4

Policy Handbook 4.1.6
Operations Guide 5.3.9

IDEA §636(d)(7)

34 CFR §303.344(g)(1)
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.3.10    The IFSP must contain steps including a description of the appropriate transition services, to be taken to support the transition of the toddler with a disability to preschool, under IDEA, Part B of the Act to the extent those services are appropriate or other services that may be available, if appropriate. The steps must include:
  1. Discussions with, and training of, parents regarding future placements and other matters related to the child's transition.
  2. Procedures to prepare the child for change in service delivery, including steps to help the child adjust to, and function in, a new setting.
  3. With parental consent, the transmission of information about the child to the local educational agency, to ensure continuity of services, including evaluation and assessment information and copies of IFSPs which have been developed and implemented.

Policy Handbook 7.1.2

Operations Guide 5.3.10

IDEA §636(a)(3)

IDEA §636(d)(8)

IDEA §637(a)(9)(C)

34 CFR §303.344(h)(1)

34 CFR §303.344(h)(2)
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.3.11 The IFSP must be fully explained to the parents and informed written consent of the parents must be obtained prior to the provision of early intervention services described on the IFSP.  If the parents do not provide consent with respect to a particular early intervention service, or withdraw consent after first providing it, then only the services for which consent is obtained will be provided. 

Policy Handbook 8.5.1

Operations Guide 5.3.11

IDEA §636(e)

34 CFR §303.342(e)

34 CFR §303.404(b)(2)

 
State imposed policy not required by the IDEA 5.3.12 The IFSP must contain family demographic and contact information. Operations Guide 5.3.12
State imposed policy not required by the IDEA 5.3.13 The IFSP must contain a statement of eligibility, including recommendations for children not found eligible, as appropriate.

Operations Guide 5.3.13
State imposed policy not required by the IDEA 5.3.14 The IFSP must contain a description of everyday routines, activities, and places in which the child lives, learns, and plays and individuals with whom the child interacts. Operations Guide 5.3.14
State imposed policy not required by the IDEA 5.3.15 The IFSP must contain the identification of the most appropriate IFSP team member to serve as the Primary Service Provider (PSP).

Policy Handbook 6.2.2

Operations Guide 5.3.15
State imposed policy not required by the IDEA 5.3.16 The IFSP must contain documentation of who participated in the development of the IFSP, method of participation, and who will implement the IFSP.

Operations Guide 5.3.16
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.3.17 The early intervention services on the IFSP must be based on peer-reviewed research, to the extent practical, and must be determined by the IFSP team to be necessary to meet the unique needs of the infant or toddler and the family.  

Operations Guide 5.3.17

IDEA §636(d)(4)

 

 

5.4.0  Interim IFSP

Policy

Reference/Related Documents

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA 5.4.1  With parental consent, an interim IFSP may be written to begin early intervention services prior to the completion of the evaluation and/or assessment when determined that early intervention services are needed immediately for the eligible child and the child’s family. 

Operations Guide 5.4.1

34 CFR §303.345(b)

 
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.4.2  An interim IFSP must include:

  1. The name of the service coordinator.
  2. Outcomes, if feasible, and to the extent possible.
  3. The early intervention services.
  4. Signatures of those who developed the IFSP. 
Operations Guide 5.4.2

34 CFR §303.345(b)

 
 
Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA
 5.4.3 When an interim IFSP is completed, the evaluation and/or assessment must still be completed and an initial IFSP developed within the 45 day timeframe from the date of referral.

34 CFR §303.345(c)

 

5.5.0  Initial Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP)

Policy

Reference/Related Documents

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.5.1  Within 45 calendar days of the date the Local Early Steps receives the referral for determination of IDEA, Part C eligibility, the evaluation and/or assessment must be completed and the IFSP team members must be convened by the service coordinator in a face-to-face meeting to develop the initial IFSP for each eligible child and family.

IDEA §636(c)

34 CFR §303.321(e)(2)(i)

34 CFR §303.321(e)(2)(ii)

34 CFR §303.342(a)

34 CFR §303.345(a)

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

5.5.2  If the initial IFSP meeting is not held within 45 calendar days, the reason for the delay must be documented in the case notes and the Early Steps data system.

Operations Guide 5.5.2

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.5.3  The initial IFSP meeting includes the following persons:

  1. The parent(s).
  2. Other family members, advocate(s), or person(s) outside the family, as requested by the parent(s)
  3. The service coordinator.
  4. A person(s) directly involved in conducting the evaluation and/or assessment.
  5. Person(s) who are or will be providing services to the child or family, as appropriate.

Operations Guide 5.5.3
34 CFR §303.343(a)(1)(i)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(1)(ii)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(1)(iii)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(1)(iv)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(1)(v)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(1)(vi)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(2)(i)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(2)(ii)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(2)(iii)

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.5.4  A person(s) directly involved in conducting the evaluation and/or assessment who is unable to attend the initial IFSP meeting must be involved through other means, e.g., telephone conference call, a designated knowledgeable representative, videoconferencing or making available pertinent records to the participants at the initial IFSP meeting.

34 CFR §303.343(a)(2)(i)
34 CFR §303.343(a)(2)(ii)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(2)(iii)

 
State imposed policy not required by the IDEA
 5.5.5  An initial IFSP must be developed for each eligible child and family that is referred from an IDEA, Part C program in another state to the State of Florida Early Steps system.

 

 

5.6.0  Periodic Review of the Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP)

Policy

Reference/Related Documents

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.6.1  The IFSP must be reviewed at least every six months from the date of the initial or annual evaluation of the IFSP, or more frequently if conditions warrant, or if the family requests such a review. 

Operations Guide 5.6.1

IDEA §636(b)

34 CFR §303.342(b)(1)

 

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.6.2  The periodic review must address:

  1. The degree to which progress toward achieving the outcomes is being made.
  2. Whether or not modification or revision of the outcomes or services is necessary.
  3. Whether or not additional needs have been identified based on ongoing assessment/observation.

34 CFR §303.342(b)(1)(i)

34 CFR §303.342(b)(1)(ii)

 

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.6.3  The periodic review may be carried out by a meeting or another means that is acceptable to the parent and other participants on the IFSP team. The concurrence of the family must be documented.

Policy Handbook 8.4.5

Operations Guide 5.6.3

34 CFR §303.342(b)(2)

 

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.6.4  The periodic review of the IFSP must include the following persons:

  1. The parent(s).
  2. Other family members, advocate(s), or person(s) outside the family, as requested by the parent(s).
  3. The service coordinator.
If conditions warrant, provisions must be made for the participation of :
  1. Persons directly involved in conducting the evaluation and/or assessment.
  2. Persons who are or will be providing services to the child or family.

Operations Guide 5.6.4

IDEA §636(b)

34 CFR §303.343(b)

 

 

5.7.0  Annual Evaluation of the Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP)

Policy

Reference/Related Documents

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.7.1 A face-to face meeting must be conducted on at least an annual basis by the IFSP team to evaluate the IFSP, as appropriate, to revise, change or modify its provisions and assess the continued appropriateness of the outcomes, strategies and recommended services, as needed.

34 CFR §303.342(c)

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.7.2 The annual meeting to evaluate the IFSP is due no later than one year from the date the initial IFSP was written or no later than one year after the date of the last annual IFSP meeting. 

Operations Guide 5.7.2

34 CFR §303.342(c)

 

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.7.3 The results of the most current evaluations conducted and other information available from on-going assessments of the child and family must be considered at the annual evaluation of the IFSP to determine what services are needed and will be provided.

Operations Guide 5.7.3

34 CFR §303.342(c)

 

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.7.4 The annual evaluation of the IFSP includes the following persons:

  1. The parent(s).
  2. Other family members, advocate(s), or person(s) outside the family, as requested by the parent(s).
  3. The service coordinator.
  4. A person(s) directly involved in conducting the most current evaluation and/or assessment.
  5. Person(s) who are or will be providing services to the child or family, as appropriate.

Operations Guide 5.7.4

34 CFR §303.343(a)(1)(i)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(1)(ii)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(1)(iii)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(1)(iv)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(1)(v)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(1)(vi)

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA

5.7.5 A person(s) directly involved in conducting the most current evaluation and/or assessment who is unable to attend the annual evaluation of the IFSP must be involved through other means, e.g.,  telephone conference call, a designated knowledgeable representative, videoconferencing or making available pertinent records.

34 CFR §303.343(a)(2)(i)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(2)(ii)

34 CFR §303.343(a)(2)(iii)

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

5.7.6 A new IFSP document is developed at the time of the annual evaluation meeting. 

 

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