Individualized Education Program (IEP) & Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Teresa Mitc...

1. Who overseas the plan? IEP- The school district that the child is attending is responsible for making sure that the services on the IEP are given to the child and that the plan is followed. IFSP- The case worker who is assigned for the child's plan is responsible for making sure the plan is met and services are being done as well as supporting the family and making sure everything is on track.

2. What is included in each plan? The IEP Includes: -Information about the where the child is right now in education performance and what their participation is in developmentally appropriate activities. -What the families concerns are about improving their child's education -Goals that are measurable -Describes how these goals will be measured and how often they will be measured -Explains how the process will be shared with the families and how often -Describes the services the child will receive in the least restrictive environment and states when and why the child may not be able to work with non disabled children -States what services, aids, modifications, and any other support the child will need to be able to participate in activities -Beginning of services, where, when and how long these services will be provided for the child The IFSP Includes: *Before the IFSP is written up the team members will do different types of assessments so it can help identify what the child's needs and strengths are. Then the team will discuss what the parents concerns and wishes are for their child. These can be included on the plan with parents permission. -The IFSP will include information about these areas of development on the child and where they are currently- cognitive, communication, physical, adaptive, social and emotional, fine and gross motor skills. -The IFSP will include what the major outcomes will be for the child as well as the family, how these will be met, the time in which they will be met and a plan will be put in place to measure the progress -Where and when the services will take place and how often (the services can include: speech, language, physical therapy, occupational therapy etc.) -Includes the supports that are needed for the child and the family to meet the outcomes that were identified in the plan

3. Who is involved and to what capacity? IEP Team- -Parent/s or guardians -Teacher (regular education) -Special Education Teacher -Someone who can help with resources -Anyone who has any involvement with the child or works with the child -Someone who can explain the results of the evaluation -Special Education Director -Sometimes the school social worker -The student can come if it is appropriate for them to be there (depending on age) IFSP Team- -Parent/s or guardians -Any other family members that the parent/s or guardians may want there -Any person that is an advocate for the child and family that the family may want there -The service coordinator / Case Manager -The people who will be conducting the assesments Everyone in these teams play an important role in the process of these plans. Together they all make it work so it can be successful. For the IEP- The school system representative for special education needs to make sure that the IEP is followed at all times but the whole team also needs to work together to make sure they are successfully meeting it for the child as well. The general ed teachers and special ed teachers need to make sure they are doing there part for the child. The parents are advocates for their child and help get the plan in place but the school district plays the biggest part in making sure it is followed correctly for the child and the services are provided. For the ISFP- The parents are what makes this plan work smoothly. They are the ones that need to make sure they are following the plan and meeting the goals that were planned and also using the resources that were provided for them and there child as the early intervention process. The case manager also will be checking in to make sure the needs are being met and the plan is followed through as well as getting the right resources or more resources that may be needed for the child and family.

4. Description of each plan: IEP- An IEP is an Individualized Education Program. It is an education document that focus on special education and related services in the school for children's ages 3 to 21. It describes the services that are available to the child in the least restrictive environment, what types of modifications the child may need, aids and supports so the child can be successful. It is like a road map that the school needs to follow so the child will get the appropriate services that the school needs to provide in order for the child to be successful. IFSP- An individualized family service plan that is used for children that are ages birth to 2 and their families. This is a plan that includes the support and early intervention services that are needed to meet the child's needs and help the families of the child so they can all achieve the outcomes that are identified in the plan. This plan helps the infant or toddler reach their full potential and be successful as well as supporting the family in the process.

5. How does each plan benefit the children and their families? IEP- The IEP benefits the children because it gets the services and support they need while being in the least restrictive environment in school. It helps the child receive any modifications he or she may need to be successful in school and any supplementary aids he or she may need to help them. The IEP helps families because it ensures them that their child is getting the proper education and services they need while in the school system as well as setting goals and working on ways to meet those goals for their child. The IEP team is very supportive of the child and their family and is able to help as needed. The parents are also kept up to date on their child's progress. IFSP- The IFSP benefits the child because they are able to receive intervention services as soon as they are eligible. It helps with the early intervention process so the child can develop to their full potential. The IFSP helps the child get the support they need for their development as well as getting the family involved to help with the development. This plan will help the parents understand what there child may need for services and why, how often, who will provide them and where the services will be provided for the child. It helps guide the parents to ensure their infant and toddler will be able to get what they need for their development. The families are involved in this plan and are able to voice concerns, needs or wants. This plan helps the family along with the child not just the child. The family can receive training, counseling, home visits and other support services.