RS 17:1975 Individualized family service plan
§1975. Individualized family service plan
A. Assessment and program development shall provide, at a minimum, for each infant or toddler with special needs and the infant's or toddler's family to receive:
(1) Multi-disciplinary assessment of the unique strengths and needs of the infant or toddler and the identification of services appropriate to meet such needs.
(2) A family-directed assessment of the resources, priorities, and concerns of the family and the identification of the supports and services necessary to enhance the family's capacity to meet the developmental needs of the infant or toddler.
(3) A written individualized family service plan developed by a multi-disciplinary team, including the parents, as required by Subsection D of this Section.
B. The individualized family service plan shall be evaluated once a year and the family shall be provided a review of the plan at six-month intervals, or more often where appropriate based on the infant or toddler and family needs.
C. The individualized family service plans shall be developed within a reasonable time after the assessment required by Paragraph A(1) of this Section is completed. With the parent's consent, early intervention services may commence prior to the completion of the assessment.
D. The individualized family service plans shall be in writing and contain:
(1) A statement of the infant's or toddler's present level of physical development, cognitive development, communication development, social or emotional development, and adaptive development, based on objective criteria.
(2) A statement of the family's resources, priorities, and concerns relating to enhancing the development of the family's infant or toddler with special needs.
(3) A statement of the major outcomes expected to be achieved for the infant and toddler and the family, and the criteria, procedures, and timelines used to determine the degree to which progress toward achieving the outcomes is being made and whether modifications or revisions of the outcomes or services are necessary.
(4) A statement of specific early intervention services necessary to meet the unique needs of the infant or toddler and the family, including the frequency, intensity, and the method of delivering services.
(5) A statement of the natural environments in which early intervention services shall appropriately be provided, including a justification of the extent, if any, to which the services will not be provided in a natural environment.
(6) The projected dates for initiation of services and the anticipated duration of such services.
(7) The identification of the family service coordinator from the profession most immediately relevant to the infant's or toddler's or family's needs or who is otherwise qualified to carry out all applicable responsibilities under this Part who will be responsible for the implementation of the plan and coordination with other agencies and persons.
(8) The steps to be taken to support the transition of the toddler with special needs to preschool or other appropriate services, including the following steps:
(a) Notify the local educational agency for the area in which such a child resided that the child will shortly reach the age of eligibility for preschool services under Part B federal regulations1 as determined in accordance with Louisiana law.
(b) In the case of a child who may be eligible for such preschool services, with the approval of the family of the child, convene a conference among the family service coordinator, the family, and the local educational agency at least ninety days (and at the discretion of all such parties, up to six months) before the child is eligible for the preschool services, to discuss any such services that the child may receive.
(c) In the case of a child who may not be eligible for such preschool services, with the approval of the family, make reasonable efforts to convene a conference among the family service coordinator, the family, and providers of other appropriate services for children who are not eligible for preschool service under Part B federal regulations1 to discuss the appropriate services that the child may receive.
E. The contents of the individualized family service plan shall be fully explained to the parents and informed written consent from the parents shall be obtained prior to the provision of early intervention services described in such plan. If such parents do not provide consent with respect to a particular early intervention service, then the early intervention services to which consent is obtained shall be provided.
Acts 1989, No. 377, §1, eff. June 29, 1989; Acts 1995, No. 1228, §1, eff. June 29, 1995; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 109, §1, eff. May 5, 1998.
1As appears in enrolled bill.