§1436 Individualized Family Service Plan

Summary

The state must give each eligible infant or toddler and their family a written plan that is made by a team of specialists and the parents. The team must check the child’s strengths and needs and also look at the family’s resources, priorities, and concerns. The plan must be written reasonably soon after the child assessment. With the parents’ okay, services can begin before the full assessment is finished. The plan must be reviewed with the family every 6 months and evaluated at least once a year (or more often if needed). The plan must say where the child is now in physical, thinking, talking, social/emotional, and daily living skills; what the family needs and wants; clear, measurable goals (including pre‑reading and language goals when they fit the child); which services will be provided (using peer‑reviewed research when possible) and how often; where services will happen and why they might not be in a natural setting; start dates and how long services will last; who the service coordinator is; and steps to move the toddler to preschool or other services. Parents must get a full explanation and give written permission before services in the plan begin. If parents refuse a specific service, only the services they agree to will be given.