First Steps Listserv

Subject:  Changes in Requirements for Documenting Transition Planning on the IFSP

Source:  Margaret Strecker, Assistant Director, Compliance

Intended Audience:  SPOEs, Service Coordinators, SICC

Date:  January 12, 2006

The requirements for documenting transition planning related to children age 3 transitioning out of First Steps have changed, and these requirements are consistent with the requirements in the new web-based data system.

The IFSP includes a section used to document transition planning, and in the past it was required that the first two items under “Transition From (age 2.5 years)” were required to be documented on IFSPs for children of all ages.  It is now only required that the first item “Discussion with and training of parents regarding future placements and other matters related to the child’s transition” be documented on all children’s IFSPs.  The second item, “Discussion about procedures to prepare the child for changes in service delivery including steps to help the child adjust and function in a new setting” is only a required item on IFSPs of children beginning with the age 2.5 transition meeting required by state regulations.

These changes will be reflected when the Part C Standards and Indicators are next revised, and these requirements will represent the compliance expectations in monitoring activities that take place after the date of this message.