November 2021 Newsletter
December 2, 2021
The term Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) may bring many things to mind, but what exactly is an IFSP?
When a child is 0-3 years old and found eligible for early intervention services, a team of professionals and parents meet together to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan. The IFSP is both the process of making the plan and the actual document.
This written plan describes what the child’s current situation is, what services will be provided to the child and their family, who will provide the services, and where the services will be provided. But how do you start the process to get an IFSP?
How Do You Get An Individualized Family Service Place (IFSP)?
The first step to getting an Individualized Family Service Plan is to have your child found eligible for early intervention services. To do this, the child must be referred to the state’s early intervention program (for South Carolina, BabyNet is where you'll want to go). Anyone can make a referral to BabyNet — whether it be a parent, a pediatrician, a daycare teacher, or even a close loved one.
From there, you will be put in contact with an intake and eligibility coordinator. They will then explain how the process works and what you’ll need to do,
Next, the screening takes place. During the screening, a conversation will take place with you and the rest of the family about any concerns you have about your child's development. You’ll also talk about what resources your child has available to them as well as what their needs are.
Once the screening is done, you wait for the results.
If your child is found eligible and needs extra physical, communication, cognitive, or social-emotional help, the Early intervention services will begin with a referral to the family’s choice of EI provider That EI provider will begin the IFSP process with the family of which the first step is a more in depth assessment. .
What Does An IFSP Include?
An IFSP can provide you and your child with all types of different early intervention services. The services that will become a part of your specific IFSP will depend on your child and your family's unique needs. The services can include some or a combination of any of the following:
- Speech and language therapy
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Psychological or social work services
- Medical, nursing, or nutrition services
- Hearing or vision services
- Transportation
- Special education services
- Family training, counseling, and home visits
- Respite care and other family support services
The IFSP will also explain how the early intervention process will work. It should include:
- Why your child needs services
- Information on your child’s current level of physical, cognitive, communication, social/emotional, and adaptive development
- Types of services that will be provided, who will provide the services, and how often the services will occur
- Projected start date of services
- Where the services will be provided
- How long each session will last
- Who will pay for the services
- Name of the service coordinator overseeing the IFSP
- What outcomes are expected to be achieved for your child
- Steps that will be taken to support the child’s transition into another program when they turn 3 years old and if they qualify
- Required signatures: parents and authorized persons for agencies providing services need to sign the document
Who Helps Create An IFSP?
Many people are involved in the creation of the IFSP team including:
- A service coordinator: this person ensures the whole process moves as smoothly as possible by arranging meetings, communicating with team members, and helping locate community resources.
- A parent or legal caregiver
- Other family members as requested by the parents or guardians
- An advocate from outside the family if arranged by the family
- Any professionals directly involved in evaluating the child’s needs
- Anyone who will provide early intervention services for your child or family
Specialists may be involved in the process as well but the type of specialist will depend on your child’s specific needs. The types of specialists that may be involved include:
- Health care providers
- Therapist (ST, PT, or OT)
- Child development specialist (EI)
- Social worker
- Daycare-Preschool teachers
The IFSP team will review the document every six months and must update it at least once a year. The group will look at how the child has progressed and if the family situation has changed at all. What services the child needs and what resources the family receives may be changed according to the child's progress. The family’s resources, priorities, and concerns along with the developmental goals will drive the intervention strategies and services.
The IFSP is a working document that should evolve as your child develops and gains skills or as your family’s resources, priorities, and concerns change.
What Happens After the IFSP is Created?
Once the IFSP is created and signed by the family, the plan can be implemented and the child can start benefiting from the services. The first step of implementing the IFSP is to describe the services to the child in a way they can understand. You want them to know what is going to happen.
After that, the early intervention professionals will use the IFSP to customize their services to best fit the child’s needs.
Transition Planning — Moving from an IFSP to an IEP
Once the child is close to turning three years old, transition planning begins. This ensures the process from early intervention to preschool or another community program goes smoothly. Additionally, your child will be referred to the school district for eligibility determination. If found eligible for school services, then the Individualized Education Program (IEP) which is like an IFSP but for older children through their local school districts will be completed.
During the transition process, the team should consider whether the child would benefit from being in an inclusive environment or what other support or services need to be provided.
If your child has a developmental delay or disability, they may be eligible for early intervention services. With an IFSP, your child will receive the support and services they need to learn and grow — and the sooner they start, the better! For more information, contact our team at About Play today.
EI Spotlight
“Latisha has always been a valuable member to our team. With her bubbly personality and willingness to meet the needs of her families makes her one of the best EI’s. Latisha goes above and beyond at training our EI’s to better serve our families. We are so happy to have her as part of our About Play family. Thank you, Latisha for all that you do and for just being you!”
-EIS DeShae
Child Spotlight
“Jaeden is three years old has been with About Play since August 2020. Jaeden is very playful, loves cars, Blimpie and cutting with scissors. Jaeden has been knocking down his goals, with increasing word phrases, including using actions words and identifying his number and letters. Go Jaeden !”
-EIT Jannerra
Extra-Mile Award
“Emma goes above and beyond to make sure her families are provided with quality services and care. She has built wonderful rapport and is timely and organized for her day-today schedules. Her kiddos get so excited to see Emma for their visits, and even some will give big hugs and say, “Hi Ms. Emma!” when she arrives. Congratulations Emma! Thank you for all you do!!”
-EIS Howlin
November Graduate
Community Resources
Lights Before Christmas
Date: Dec 30, 2021
Time: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: : RiverBank Zoo & Garden 500 Wildlife Pkwy., Columbia, SC 29210
Stroll through a dazzling display of more than one million twinkling lights, see the brilliantly lit 30-ft Animated Story Tree, send a letter to Santa and more!
Sponge Painted Turkey
This activity focuses on: hand-eye coordination, fine motor development
Materials:
- Paper plate
- Paint
- Sponge
- Glue
- Scissors
First, start out by cutting your sponge into strips. Next, prepare your paint (let the kids pick out the colors for their turkey). Then, dab your sponge into the paint and then dab onto the paper plate. Alternate colors until the plate is covered. Allow to dry. While the paint is drying on the paper plate, cut a body for the turkey from brown paper. Glue the body to the bottom of the paper plate. Finally, cut out eyes (or use googly eyes), beak, and gobbler and glue to the turkey’s body.
30 Month Milestones
Social and Emotional
- Starts to play with, not just alongside, other kids
- Refers to himself or herself by name
Language/Communication
- Says short phrases of 3-4 words
- Speaks using pronouns (I, me, you)
- Asks many "What?" and "Where?" questions
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem solving)
- Begins to develop a sense of humor
- Understands the concept of one item or thing (e.g., "Give me one block.")
Gross/Fine Motor
- Throws a ball overhand
- Imitates a vertical or horizontal writing stroke
- Jumps with both feet together
Self-Help/Adaptive
- Washes and dries hands
- Brushes teeth with help
We are Hiring!
We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field
- At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years old
Positions are available in the following counties:
- Charleston
- Kershaw
- Richland
If you or someone you know is interested, visit our job application page at https://aboutplaysc.com/careers.
For more info and questions, you may also email humanresources@aboutplaysc.com.
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