Initial individualized family service plan process : parents' and service coordinators' perceptions

Public Law 99-457 stipulated that an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) be developed to serve infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. This plan is developed through the process of interaction and through the activities that are carried out between families, professionals and service coordinators. This study was conducted to explore the initial IFSP process from parents' and service coordinators' perspectives within the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), a unique model in serving children and families.

Qualitative research techniques were used in this study. The overall research question is How do parents and service coordinators perceive the IFSP process? The participants in this study included five service coordinators from two district offices of TEIS and five parents (mothers) of infants and toddlers with developmental delay receiving services from TEIS. Four kinds of data were obtained from parents and service coordinators: 1) demographic data, 2) taped self-interviews, 3) open-ended interviews, and 4) artifacts (e.g., referral form, IFSP). The data were analyzed using qualitative methods.

Findings related to service coordinators' and parents' functions suggested that they complement one another, with the service coordinators encouraging parents to take an active role in the IFSP process. The typical IFSP sequence within TEIS described by the service coordinators was consistent with a family-centered process of developing the IFSP. Both the parents' and service coordinators' responses suggested that there are several aspects of the child/family influencing the activities and interactions of the initial IFSP process. The service coordinators' responses indicated that they were unable to comply with the regulation of holding the initial IFSP meeting within 45 days for most families. Service coordinators' and parents' responses alike indicated that practices related to communication are crucial to a successful IFSP process. Suggestions provided by service coordinators and parents about the bureaucratic practice of appointing a surrogate parent for a foster child showed some agreement. Results indicated that adoption of the positive approaches identified by the service coordinators facilitated their developing a partnership with parents during the IFSP process. Exchange of information between service coordinators and parents appeared to help them to better serve the children/families, and the parents to make informed decisions about the services through out the initial IFSP process.

The findings of this study have implications for policy, practice, training, and future research.