Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)

An IFSP is a written plan for providing early intervention services to infants and toddlers. The IFSP is a family-focused plan that documents the following: Child's eligibility; parent concerns and priorities; health history; present levels of functioning, goals, and outcomes appropriate to the need of the child and the family; services to be provided; and any other relevant information that is required to meet the needs of the child and his or her family.

According to Title 17 California Code of Regulations (CCR) § 52100, an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) is written for infants/toddlers, between the ages of birth and 36 months who have disabilities and their families. The child is assessed and if they meet eligibility criteria, an IFSP is developed.

A transition IFSP is held during the period when the child's age is two years, six months to two years, nine months. The purpose is to develop a plan for initiating the referral to the local education agency/district of residence.

Prior to the child's third birthday, the IFSP team must meet to discuss eligibility. If the child is eligible for special education and related services under Part B of the IDEA, then an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is written for the child at this meeting.

The IFSP Service Coordinator will contact the parent and the LEA to coordinate the meeting within 30 days following notifications that transition planning will occur. Participants to the Transition IFSP: parents; service coordinator; service providers, as needed; LEA representative; other family members, advocates, and persons familiar with the child who are invited by the parent.

For those students who may be eligible for special education preschool services from the LEA under Part B of the IDEA, the team must consider and include the following:

• The information necessary for transition to the LEA, including evaluation and assessment information to determine regional center eligibility and special education eligibility.
• The regional center or LEA responsible for assessment and their timelines.
• The people responsible for convening the initial IEP and final IFSP meeting and the Regional Center person responsible for developing an Individual Performance Plan (IPP) if necessary for the toddler by age three.
• Review of progress toward outcomes.
• Discussion about options and the transition plan.
• A statement of the steps outlined to ensure:
  • The referral to the LEA is received in time to process.
  • Assessments are completed.
  • An IEP is implemented by the child's third birthday.
  • A referral for evaluation and assessment will be made no later than the time the toddler is two years, nine months of age or before the LEA break in school services.