If your child is 0-3 years old and qualifies for government-funded intervention services through the NYC Department of Health, an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) will be developed for your child. The IFSP includes developmental goals and recommendations for intervention services, supports and therapies to further your child’s development and growth.
An IFSP should be completed within 45 days from the start of your child’s evaluation. Once the IFSP is complete, a meeting will be scheduled with parents/guardians and representatives of the NYC Department of Health to review and discuss recommendations proposed in your child’s IFSP.
You should request that a copy of the IFSP be sent to you in advance of the meeting, to allow time to review all recommendations proposed for your child. The NYC Department of Health suggests families consider the following questions when reviewing the IFSP:
- What is working well for you at home?
- What do you need help with?
- What help do you want for your child?
- What do you need more information about?
- What places or activities in your community would you want your child to take part in?
Parents/guardians have the legal right to advocate for any intervention services, and/or an increase of recommended services in the IFSP. If you have researched all intervention options and have a solid argument prepared for what you feel would most enhance your child’s growth and development, you have the right to strongly advocate for those services. While there is likely to be negotiation at the meeting, you should request all that you can in the best interest of your child.
If Parents/Guardians Agree with the IFSP:
If you reach agreement on all intervention services outlined in your child’s IFSP, parents/guardians must sign their consent in order for intervention services to commence. You can decline one or more intervention services at any point after signing your consent of the IFSP, without risk of losing other services in your child’s IFSP.
Once you have signed consent, you will be asked to choose an Ongoing Service Coordinator to assist with roll-out of intervention services outlined in your child’s IFSP. The Ongoing Service Coordinator assists in finding intervention service providers, and ensures that a review of your child’s progress is completed every 6 months.
Provided you approve, the Initial Service Coordinator assigned at the start of your child’s government-funded evaluation typically continues on as your family’s Ongoing Service Coordinator, although you have the right to request a change in ongoing service coordinator at any time.
If the NYC Department of Health is unable to provide intervention services outlined in your child’s IFSP, parents should reach out to the Early Intervention Regional Office in their borough for assistance.
If Parents/Guardians Disagree with the IFSP:
If you do not feel the recommended services in the IFSP are sufficient or appropriate for your child and a resolution could not be reached during the IFSP meeting, then parents/guardians should not sign consent of the IFSP. Parents/guardians have the legal right to contest the IFSP and request mediation.
A mediator assists both sides in reaching a mutually agreeable plan for a child. A mediator does not, however, make any decisions on a case. There is no cost for a mediation meeting. A mediator will be assigned by your local Community Dispute Resolution Center. The mediation process can take up to 3 months to complete. In the interim, government-funded intervention services will not commence.
You also have the option to hire a special needs attorney to assist in your case. You can hire a lawyer before or after initiating the mediation process. If mediation is unsuccessful, then a lawyer can request an Impartial Hearing on your behalf. During an impartial hearing, testimony is recorded, and a hearing officer makes a decision based on the merits of evidence presented by both parties. Your lawyer can also appeal the decision if unfavorable to your family.