Module III: IFSP outcomes in natural environments

 

Unit 1 Lesson 2: Planning the IFSP meeting

The regulations that govern IFSP are crucial to the understanding of this module. An overview of the regulations give a good idea of what is covered in depth in the actual regulations. 303.340 is a general statement about the creation of the IFSP.

Sec. 303.340

General.

(a) Each system must include policies and procedures regarding individualized family service plans (IFSPs) that meet the requirements of this section and Secs. 303.341 through 303.346.

1.) Be developed in accordance with Secs. 303.342 and 303.343;

2.) Be based on the evaluation and assessment described in Sec. 303.322; and

3.) Include the matters specified in Sec. 303.344. Lead agency responsibility.

(c) The lead agency shall ensure that an IFSP is developed and implemented for each eligible child, in accordance with the requirements of this part. If there is a dispute between agencies as to who has responsibility for developing or implementing an IFSP, the lead agency shall resolve the dispute or assign responsibility.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820-0550)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1436)

Note: In instances where an eligible child must have both an IFSP and an individualized service plan under another Federal program, it may be possible to develop a single consolidated document, provided that it

1.) contains all of the required information in Sec. 303.344, and is developed in accordance with the requirements of this part.

 

The next section of the regulations that needs to be understood is 303.342. This section of the regulations will take you through how the IFSP is developed to fit individual family needs, the frequency and methods to review the IFSP and how the annual meeting to evaluate the IFSP is arranged and conducted. As you read think about what your role will be in contributing your knowledge about your specific skills that you are bringing to the family needs.

 

Sec. 303.342

Procedures for IFSP development, review, and evaluation.

(a) Meeting to develop initial IFSP—timelines.

For a child who has been evaluated for the first time and determined to be eligible, a meeting to develop the initial IFSP must be conducted within the 45-day time period in Sec. 303.321(e).

(b) Periodic review.

1. A review of the IFSP for a child and the child’s family must be conducted every 6 months, or more frequently if conditions warrant, or if the family requests such a review. The purpose of the periodic review is to determine—

i. The degree to which progress toward achieving the outcomes is being made; and

ii. Whether modification or revision of the outcomes or services is necessary.

2. The review may be carried out by a meeting or by another means that is acceptable to the parents and other participants.

(c) Annual meeting to evaluate the IFSP.

A meeting must be conducted on at least an annual basis to evaluate the IFSP for a child and the child’s family, and, as appropriate, to revise its provisions. The results of any current evaluations conducted under Sec. 303.322(c), and other information available from the ongoing assessment of the child and family, must be used in determining what services are needed and will be provided.

(d) Accessibility and convenience of meetings.

1. IFSP meetings must be conducted—

i. In settings and at times that are convenient to families; and

ii. In the native language of the family or other mode of communication used by the family, unless it is clearly not feasible to do so.

2. Meeting arrangements must be made with, and written notice provided to, the family and other participants early enough before the meeting date to ensure that they will be able to attend.

(e) Parental consent.

The contents of the IFSP must be fully explained to the parents and informed written consent from the parents must be obtained prior to the provision of early intervention services described in the plan. If the parents do not provide consent with respect to a particular early intervention service or withdraw consent after first providing it, that service may not be provided. The early intervention services to which parental consent is obtained must be provided.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820-0550)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1436)

 

Note: The requirement for the annual evaluation incorporates the periodic review process. Therefore, it is necessary to have only one separate periodic review each year (i.e., 6 months after the initial and subsequent annual IFSP meetings), unless conditions warrant otherwise.

Because the needs of infants and toddlers change so rapidly during the course of a year, certain evaluation procedures may need to be repeated before conducting the periodic reviews and annual evaluation meetings in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.

303.343 takes you through the guidelines for who will attend the initial and annual IFSP meetings and what to do if they are absent. Keep in mind that there are other people on the team that will help with the initial meeting.

 

Sec. 303.343

Participants in IFSP meetings and periodic reviews.

(a) Initial and annual IFSP meetings.

1. Each initial meeting and each annual meeting to evaluate the IFSP must include the following participants:

i.The parent or parents of the child.

ii. Other family members, as requested by the parent, if feasible to do so;

iii. An advocate or person outside of the family, if the parent requests that the person participate.

iv. The service coordinator who has been working with the family since the initial referral of the child for evaluation, or who has been designated by the public agency to be responsible for implementation of the IFSP.

v. A person or persons directly involved in conducting the evaluations and assessments in Sec. 303.322.

vi. As appropriate, persons who will be providing services to the child or family.

2. If a person listed in paragraph (a)(1)(v) of this section is unable to attend a meeting, arrangements must be made for the person’s involvement through other means, including—

i.Participating in a telephone conference call;

ii.Having a knowledgeable authorized representative attend the meeting; or

iii. Making pertinent records available at the meeting.

(b)Periodic review.

Each periodic review must provide for the participation of persons in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (a)(1)(iv) of this section. If conditions warrant, provisions must be made for the participation of other representatives identified in paragraph (a) of this section.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820-0550)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1436[b])

 

With this overview of the regulations a good understanding of the actual regulations can be developed. Now is the time to read the actual regulations at:

http://dese.mo.gov/divspeced/Compliance/Part-C/stateplan/sec_vi.pdf

 

Review questions:

  1. Should there be an IFSP for each child if there is more than one child eligible in the family?
  2. For a child that has been evaluated for the first time and determined to be eligible, the meeting to develop the initial IFSP should be held within how many days?
  3. How often must review IFSP meetings be held?
  4. The IFSP meetings must be conducted when and in what language?
  5. Who must attend IFSP meetings?
  6. Are IFSP members allowed to attend the meeting through conference calls?

 

Reflective questions:

  1. How is the IFSP process maximizing the skills of the provider?
  2. What safeguards for families are possible challenges for you (tip: think about participants in the IFSP process, review frequency, language differences, medical training versus providing services in natural environments, etc.)?
  3. How does the IFSP process focus on the family needs (tip: family concerns, priorities, etc.)?
  4. How is the IFSP meeting different than how appointments and rehabilition meetings in the medical model take place?

 

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If you have a question about this module please check the Q & A pages. If you still have a question after reviewing the Q & A pages please send an email to: webreplyspefs@dese.mo.gov or call 573.751.0187

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