Evelyn Klimpel, Spirit Lake Early Childhood consultant, has written an article on the Individualized Family Service Plan meeting that includes tips on what to do before the meeting, during the meeting and after the meeting. A few examples are below:
Before the meeting:
- Buy a notebook and binder to start your organization of important papers relating to your child’s care. Your provider has lots of paperwork to show you. You want to keep everything in one spot. Also purchase a calendar to record dates of meetings past and present.
- Write down all the things your child can do and cannot do.
- Write down all the things you are worried about regarding your child. Next, put the items in order of what is important to you.
During the meeting:
- Make your requests in writing even if you speak directly to the teachers, administrators, or other providers at the IFSP meeting. If it is not written it was not said. I learned the hard way, I found talking to everyone meant nothing. It was my word against theirs.
- Ask for a copy of everything shown to you at the meeting. If there is anything you don’t understand get it cleared up.
NEXT: For more resources on the Individualized Family Service Plan, click here