Writing an Individual Family Service Plan for your child: A Sweetgrass Method

Mark Standing Eagle Baez Ed. Psychologist/PractitionerCarlos A Powell Heart Start Dir./Consultant

Agenda for today Introduction What is IFSP What is included in an IFSP Who develops and IFSP Cultural approach : Sweetgrass Method Partnership with Parents Before IFSP Meeting During IFSP meeting After IFSP Meeting Applying Sweetgrass Method to achieve outcomes. What happens next

Introduction (cp)

After your young child’s evaluation is complete and he or she is found eligible for early intervention services, you, parents, and a team will meet to develop a written plan for providing early intervention services to your child and, as necessary, to your family.

This plan is called the Individualized Family Service Plan, or IFSP.

The IFSP is a very important document, and you, as parents, are important members of the team that develops it.

What is an IFSP (cp) An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is a working document produced

collaboratively by program staff and family members that contains the agreed upon Early Intervention services for an eligible child and family.

Based on a multidisciplinary eligibility evaluation and any completed assessments, the plan includes services necessary to enhance the development of an eligible child, and the capacity of the family to meet the child's needs.

Ages 0-3 Early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-3)

have been a part of IDEA since 1986. This section of the law is commonly known as Part C of IDEA

What is included in an IFSP (cp)Must include the following

Your child’s present levels of functioning and need in the areas of his or her  physical, cognitive, communication, social/emotional, and adaptive development.

Family information (with your agreement), including the resources, priorities, and your concerns, as parents, and other family members closely involved with the child.

The major results or outcomes expected to be achieved for your child and family The specific early intervention services your child will be receiving Where in the natural environment (e.g., home, community) the services will be provided (if

the services will not be provided in the natural environment, the IFSP must include a statement justifying why not)

When and where your son or daughter will receive services The number of days or sessions he or she will receive each service and how long each

session will last Who will pay for the services The name of the service coordinator overseeing the implementation of the IFSP The steps to be taken to support your child’s transition out of early intervention and into

another program when the time comes.

Who Develops an IFSP: (cp)The meeting to develop the child’s first IFSP (and each annual meeting thereafter to review the IFSP) must include the following participants:

the parent or parents of the child; other family members, as requested by the parent, if feasible to do

so; an advocate or person outside of the family, if the parent requests

that the person participate; the service coordinator designated by the system to be responsible

for implementing the IFSP; a person or persons directly involved in conducting the evaluations

and assessments of the child and family; and persons who will be providing early intervention services under this

part to the child or family (as appropriate).

Suggestions on disseminating recommendations and developing and IFSP: Cultural Responsive approach

Sweetgrass Method: A cultural responsive approach in working with parents on the IFSP-

‘Sweetgrass Method: It is an approach that empowers others intellectually, socially, emotionally and honorably by using cultural methods (language, traditions, familial respect, patience, etc.) to share knowledge, skills and beliefs.’ Baez 2016

Sweetgrass Method and the IFSP Introspective (as Teachers/psychologists/administrators looking within self and

areas of cultural responsive methods that are culturally appropriate (i.e., evaluations/assessments). Making sure the OT/PT/SLP/psychologist/does not come with his/her mind-set of how to fix Indians, but with understanding of that particular tribe and traditional customs. Not all Native live in Teepee’s/Tipi’s

Collaboration (as educators/administrators and OT/PT/SLP/psychologist), we consult with families, traditional practitioners, special education team and community resources to bring services for the child. Also, a possible meeting with the parent (one on one) to explain how this will unfold (intimately/sensitively) versus calling a meeting where the entire team on one side of the table and the parent is by herself on the there side.

Continuity/Continuous (educators/administrators) providing ongoing/continued support/parents/guardians/children and continuously seeking healing

opportunities, Positive Indian Parenting support training as a means of developing comprehensive partnerships.  

Parents may not truly understand what is being said to them

Parents will take what is said about the IFSP and process internally and may not express to us as staff, even though they may be lost in exactly going on..

Food for thought: Parent/guardian that may not fully understand the IFSP process (cp)

With the Sweetgrass Method, we emphasize (culturally responsive) that we are here as a team and the parent is an important part of this process. We braid our suggestions and gather information that will help us develop a plan for the child’s success

With the Sweetgrass Method, we emphasize that we are here to guide decision making about a culturally appropriate educational strategies for your son/daughter

Developing an IFSP together with the parent, is essential in the first steps in the process of your child’s strengths and needs

Reiterating clear communication and collaboration with parents

Partnerships with parents: Tailoring IFSP/Personalizing

 How many of you have gone to a restaurant and are only served 1 menu item?

 Usually when we go into a restaurant we have menu options.  We can even personalize what we order. Steak medium rare or well done is an example. We can have fries or mashed potatoes.

 If we have dietary restrictions we can ask for MSG (salt) no bread, etc. 

 In the end our meal is tailored for us.

Create a personalized menu for yourself-DREAM BIG

If you could order any menu for yourself, what would it be?   Share this with someone beside you. ( 5 minutes). Question:  Where some of your menus VERY specific to your tastes?   This is how an ISFP works, sort of.  It's very specific to the child child.

 Together, parents and school staff work with the child to choose the best ways to provide services for success!

Before IFSP meeting (cp)Through the Lens of the Sweetgrass Method (1st Strand Grounding self) - Preparation may include

Be prepared to discuss family’s desire to move forward after the entry level evaluation and eligibility determination. (Sweetgrass approach).

Prepare to discuss the 10-day written prior notice of IFSP meeting requirement. The family has the option to exercise their right to expedite this process.

Think of approaches to discuss with the family the composition of the IFSP team, and get authorization forms signed by parent/guardian.

Gather evaluations, assessments to use and share (with parental consent) If evaluator cannot attend the IFSP meeting, the EI staff must ensure

sufficient evaluation information is available to develop outcomes, and select appropriate intervention strategies.

Refer back to the family’s identified concerns at referral to ensure IFSP process is addressing the family’s concerns. Check to make sure those initial concerns remain and prepare to discuss any additional concerns.

Monitor the 45-day timeline and recording of documentation regarding the process

During IFSP Meeting: 2nd strand-Collaboration/Communication

Introductions Explanation of team member roles Discuss purpose of meeting: Summarize all information known regarding child’s strengths and

needs, and family’s concerns, priorities, and resources. Review family’s identified routines, daily activities, and natural

environments. Develop and refine outcomes the family has chosen. Develop strategies for meeting outcomes and select appropriate

services and supports. Develop the IFSP and determine the responsibilities of each team

member; and discuss how ongoing/open communication between the parent and team members is important.

During IFSP Meeting continued

Meeting should be informal and comfortable for the family. This is the initial IFSP development meeting and is a starting

place. The IFSP can be reviewed, revised, and updated as needed. Reviews should take place at least every six months and annually.

At the end of the meeting: Inform family of rights to accept some evaluations, assessments, and services, while refusing others.

Review the contents of the IFSP. Obtain informed consent of content, outcomes, activities, and

services included in the IFSP. Parent’s signature on the IFSP is considered informed consent.

During IFSP Meeting continued

Review Notice of Child and Family Rights with the family. Inform family of the right to have services start within 30 days. Share list of contract providers who are providers of the services

identified on the IFSP. Share lists of other resources as needed. Family will identify who will receive copies of the completed IFSP,

and give written parental consent for the copies to be disseminated.

After IFSP meeting: (cp)Assisting the family with timely access to services, including referral to services and arranging service provision, with follow-up as needed, documenting any delays in obtaining services, and keeping the parent and providers informed of all efforts. 3rd strand -Continuous

Provide family and IFSP team members (with parental consent) copies of the completed IFSP.

Revisit with the parent the specific nature of assistance the EISC will provide to support and assist the family in implementing and monitoring the IFSP.

Ensure the 45-day IFSP development timeline and record documentation regarding the process and any delays.

Monitor the 30-day service delivery timeline and record documentation regarding the process and any delays.

Apply Sweetgrass Method to achieve outcomes.

Services are provided in natural settings such as the home, child care settings, playgroups, EI centers and other community sites. Services and supports applying Sweetgrass method focuses on CUTURAL RESPONSIVE approach to success. This may include:

Home visits (contact before going, call or email going by to schedule opportunity)

Community child groups (groups that culturally sensitive to needs of family and child).

Positive Indian Parenting groups Specialty Services Transportation to and from the EI site. Continue Important partnerships with parents Engaging parents

What happens next The IFSP is reviewed every six months and is updated at least once a

year. The IFSP must be fully explained to parents and suggestions of parents

must be considered. You must give written consent before services can start.

If parents do not give consent in writing, the child will not receive services (related services).

PowerPoint and contact information http://www.nativelife1.com Email: nativelife1@hotmail.com carlosapowellsr@Hotmail.com