Where you want to go and how you want to get there will depend on your family's priorities, concerns, lifestyles, and routines.  You may want to complete the "Hopes and Dreams" exercise  to prepare to write down the IFSP "outcomes" section.  Outcomes are the changes you want to work toward for your child and family and can relate to any area of your child's development and daily or weekly routines (such as eating, dressing, making friends) or your family's life (such as training a baby-sitter or making time for play activities).  After the outcomes are written, including the many locations and people that will need to be involved, it is time to look at one or more of the following Birth to Three services and supports that would help you to achieve those outcomes:   

• service coordination

• specialized instruction

• speech and language services

• physical therapy (P.T.)

• occupational therapy (O.T.)

• family training and counseling

• assistive technology devices and services

• audiological services

• health services necessary to benefit from other early intervention services

• medical services for Birth to Three diagnostic or evaluation purposes only

• nutrition services

• nursing services

• psychological services

• social work services

• vision and mobility services

• transportation necessary to receive other services that are included in the IFSP

• other services and supports

The services of the IFSP will describe who will be providing any of these services, where, how often, and for how long.  Depending upon what you prefer, services can be delivered in many different natural environments.  these may include various places in your home, your child's day care, a neighborhood play group, or other places where your child spends his days so that it is a comfortable place for you and your child.  Within all these locations, there are a variety of activities that can be designed for your child and lots that he or she can learn through those activities.

 The IFSP will be reviewed every six months (or sooner, if you request it) to evaluate your child's progress and continued need for services.  You will be given a copy of your IFSP each time it is written or changed by you and your team.  Each IFSP will also be sent to your child's doctor to sign.  This helps keep your child's doctor involved and allows your Birth to Three program to collect reimbursement from your health insurance plan as required under Connecticut law.

Last Updated 4/24/09