Individualized Family Service Plan
Class members are required to develop a project which:
(1) demonstrates skills in interviewing and assessing family strength and needs,
and
(2) develops strategies for building parent-professional partnerships that can then be incorporated in the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
This interview should be viewed as an opportunity to listen to the family story as well as an opportunity to practice your skills in family interviewing and assessment.
The purpose of listening to families is to gain a comprehensive view of the needs and strengths of the family as a basis for providing individualized and relevant support to the family. The product of the interview will be a typewritten report synthesizing information.
You must use the following questions in your interview (these questions have been included in the prerecorded interview).
When was your child’s disability initially suspected?
Discuss who brought it to the parents’ attention. If it was the parent who first suspected it, what was the cause for this suspicion?
Share your experience with the initial testing process. Also be sure to discuss the child’s experience, as well as how it may have changed during additional testing over time.
What was your level of involvement during the IFSP development? Be sure to discuss thoughts on how the process could be changed (if applicable).
Share the various forms of therapy, treatment, and support that you and your child have received over time.
How would you describe the relationships with the various service providers? Be sure to include the ability to have your needs understood and met by service providers
Discuss both the joys and frustrations that you have experienced with your child.
How has the fact that your child has a disability affected others in your immediate family? Be sure to focus on the siblings, spouse, grandparents.
How has this experience affected the establishment and maintenance of friendships that the child has had over time?
