All About IFSPs & IEPs
It is important for ECE programs to understand the basics of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
IFSP
- Infant/Toddler Early Intervention (for children ages birth–third birthday)
- Facilitated by Infant/ Toddler Service Coordinator (SC) (in Allegheny County, the Service Coordinator is from The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers)
- Includes IFSP outcomes or statements of what the family wants to achieve with their child as well as the method, timeline, and plans to measure progress
- Includes support strategies to help the child, family, and caregivers achieve the outcome
- Provides services to both the family and the young child IFSP and IEP Similarities
- Reviewed quarterly (once every 3 months) and updated at least every six months
IFSP and IEP Similarities
- Multidisciplinary approach to provide individualized services
- Team must include the parents/ legal guardians and requires their signature of consent
- Team may include advocate or person outside of the family if requested by the parent • Provides summary of current development
- Includes individualized outcomes or goals to guide services
- Documents the child’s services, including which services will be provided, location of services, and frequency of services
- Legally binding document
- Provides families with a formal process to review their rights, disagree, or file a complaint
IEP
- Preschool Early Intervention and transitions into K-12 school
- Overseen by the child’s Local Education Agency (LEA). For preschool EI in Allegheny County, this is the Intermediate Unit (AIU or PPS)
- The IEP team must include the parent(s)/legal guardian(s), special education teacher, general education teacher, a professional for each related service if warranted (example: Speech Therapist), and a representative from the Local Education Agency (LEA)
- Provides services to the individual child
- Updated at least annually
