IFSP stands for Individual Family Service Plan. The IFSP is a family centered, legal document. This is a plan for services that may be provided to children identified with special needs, including deafness, from birth to age three. This plan focuses on what services a family needs for themselves and their deaf child. Services may include home visits, services from a center-based program, sign classes for parents and caregivers, services from a Teacher of the Deaf, Speech Pathologists, Audiologists, Psychologists, and other Health Professionals, as needed.

When the child reaches the age of two years, six months, until the child is three years old, the IFSP includes a Transition Plan. The purpose of the transition plan is to examine preschool educational options for the child.

IEP:

IEP stands for Individualized Education Program. Children from age three (3) to twenty-two (22) have an IEP written and reviewed annually. The IEP is a child centered, legal document regarding the educational needs of the child. Services that may be considered for the child include: placement options, additional resource services (speech/language therapy, adaptive physical education, educational interpreters, audiological services, etc.). Every year, the IEP team (any person involved with providing services may be part of the IEP team, THIS INCLUDES PARENTS) meets and reviews the progress over the past year, sets new educational goals and discusses any other relevant issues related to the child's education. Every three years, there is a Triennial Review to evaluate the child's progress and review placement options and qualification (whether the child still qualifies for or requires services) issues related to the program.