KANSAS INFANT-TODDLER SERVICES
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BULLETIN

TAB #3 JANUARY, 1997

GUIDELINES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INTERIM IFSP

INTRODUCTION

Federal regulations for Part H of I.D.E.A. provide for the development and implementation of an interim IFSP for certain children under certain circumstances (CFR 303.345). There have been many questions regarding the actual use and implementation of this type of IFSP. The following information concerns the development and implementation of an interim IFSP.

BACKGROUND

There are certain circumstances when the usual process and procedures for evaluation, assessment and the development and implementation of the IFSP are not easily followed. It is during these times that provisions have been made by federal regulation to permit some flexibility in this process.

There are two circumstances that may require the use of an interim IFSP. These are when:

1. services for an eligible child need to begin before evaluation and assessment are completed. For instance, a physician recommends that a child with cerebral palsy begin receiving physical therapy services as soon as possible; or
2. an evaluation and IFSP cannot be completed within 45 calendar days of referral due to exceptional circumstances such as illness of the child.

   In both circumstances, the interim IFSP must include the following:

   1. the name of the family service coordinator who will be responsible for the implementation of the interim IFSP and coordination with other agencies and persons;

   2. the early intervention services that are determined to be needed immediately by the child and family; and

   3. parental signature indicating their knowledge of, and agreement to, the desire to begin services before evaluation, or the delay in completing the evaluation.

   RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

   • When an interim IFSP is written because services need to begin before the evaluation and assessment can be completed: The family service coordinator assures that the interim IFSP is developed to include content as described earlier in this TAB. The evaluation and assessment must be completed within 45 days from the date of the initial referral to infant-toddler services. The interim IFSP in this circumstance does not circumvent the requirements for the timely evaluation and assessment of the child.
   • When as interim IFSP is written because of exceptional circumstances (e.g., the child is ill): The family service coordinator documents the reason(s) that the 45 day time requirement for completing the evaluation and developing the IFSP has not been met. The family service coordinator will, to the extent appropriate, implement the interim IFSP according to the information described earlier in this TAB. (i.e., evaluations and assessments will be completed and, if the child is eligible, an IFSP developed and carried out as soon as the health of the child permits.)