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Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)

definition of the acronym IFSP. Text reads INDIVIDUALIZED: ​ written specifically for your child and family​ FAMILY: ​ focus on changes (called outcomes) you want to see for your child and family as a result of your participation in Early On​ SERVICE: ​ the what, where, when, how often, how long, and by whom services will be delivered to your child and family​ PLAN: ​ a written document that can be changed as your child's and family's needs change​

After a young child (birth to 3) is found eligible for early intervention services, a team (including the parents, professionals and your service coordinator) meets to develop the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). This written plan is an important document, it describes the early intervention services that will be provided to your child and family. This page focuses on the process of writing the IFSP and the type of information it contains. Links to additional early intervention topics are included at the bottom of this page.

  • A Michigan Family Guidebook is available from Early On. You can request a printed booklet from your service coordinator. 

An IFSP provides supports and services to help your child develop and learn. Michigan requires certain elements to be part of an IFSP, but the district might use a different form and to prepare you can request a copy of the IFSP in advance. The IFSP team must meet at least every six months.

The IFSP will explain

  • why your child needs services.  The first step of an IFSP is to determine your child’s strengths and needs through assessments. The IFSP includes information on your child’s current level of development.
  • what kind of services will be provided, who will provide them and how often. There are many types of services that can be provided through early intervention, depending on your child’s needs.
  • where the services will be provided. The law requires that early intervention services be provided in what is considered natural environments (the places where your child would normally be). This might include your home, a daycare center, or a preschool, rather than at a service provider’s office or agency.

The plan must also include information about your family’s concerns and priorities for promoting your child’s development. 

A periodic review of the IFSP must be held at least every six months to determine if progress is being made toward achieving the outcomes.

More topics for parents of infants and toddlers can be found on our webpage dedicated to resources for Babies and Toddlers, or search the bigger A-Z list or  contact us. 

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