IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan)

An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is a written plan developed for infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) who have been identified with a developmental delay or disability, or who are at established risk for developmental delay. Authorized under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the IFSP is the early intervention equivalent of the IEP used in the school-age system.

Unlike an IEP, which focuses primarily on the child's educational needs, the IFSP takes a family-centered approach. It identifies the family's concerns, priorities, and resources, and outlines early intervention services designed to support both the child's development and the family's capacity to meet the child's needs. Services may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, developmental instruction, and family counseling, often delivered in the child's natural environment, including their childcare setting.

Childcare providers may be asked to participate in IFSP meetings and to implement strategies recommended by early intervention specialists. Understanding the IFSP process helps providers support children with developmental delays, collaborate with intervention teams, and create inclusive classroom environments. When a child with an IFSP turns 3, the family and service team plan a transition to preschool special education services under an IEP, if the child continues to be eligible.