Amendments

Part C (Birth-Age 3)

Explanation

If a child's needs or family's resources, priorities, and concerns change during the school year, the IFSP team may decide to amend the child's IFSP to make changes to relevant section(s) rather than redrafting the entire document. When completing an amendment, be sure that there continues to be alignment between the information in the ongoing assessment information, outcomes, and identified services. Proposed changes can be discussed through dialogue between the IFSP team members outside the context of a formal meeting or during a formal IFSP or Periodic Review meeting.

Informal Discussion vs. IFSP Meeting

If the child's parent(s)/guardian(s) and the district agree not to convene an IFSP team meeting to discuss the proposed amendment, the proposal must be reviewed either through an informal group discussion or through the case manager connecting with team members separately (in person, over the phone, or via written communication).

Here are some examples of cases where an informal discussion would be appropriate:

To modify existing IFSP outcome (e.g., changes to measurement tool, goal target)
To make moderate adjustments to the duration and/or frequency of a direct, indirect, or related service
To add, delete, or modify a supplementary aid (e.g., accommodation, modification, or AT) or service
For minor omissions/corrections

When an IFSP team meeting is not held, all discussions, decision making, and commitment of resources must include communication with the parent/guardian and all other IFSP team members whose participation is relevant to the part(s) of the IFSP being amended. If it becomes apparent that discussion, decision making, and commitment of resources cannot be completed without a formal meeting, the full IFSP team must convene.

If the IFSP team decides to convene to discuss proposed IFSP amendments, all IFSP team attendance, documentation, and notice requirements covering annual IFSP meetings also apply when a district convenes an IFSP team meeting to consider a proposed IFSP amendment. Before the meeting, the case manager should identify the change that needs to be made, collect supporting data, determine who needs to be at the meeting, and send a Notice of Team Meeting.

Documents Sent to Parent/Guardian & Filed in the Student's SpEd Records:

1. A copy of the amended pages of the IFSP

2. Prior Written Notice (PWN) with Parental Consent/Objection Form

The PWN should be dated for the date it is sent to parent(s)/guardian(s). Written parental consent is required before implementing amendments to the IFSP, as there is no passive consent in Part C.

3. Notice & Record of Team Meeting (if applicable)

✋ Frequently Asked Questions

When I am changing a student's service minutes via amendment, should I (A) leave in the old service row, change its end date/expected duration, and add a new row with the new minutes or (B) delete the old row and add a new row with the new minutes?

Both methods for handling this situation would meet state compliance standards. We recommend (B) delete the old row and add a new row with the new minutes because it is more parent friendly. Some of our students have very complex service grids, and if we leave old rows on the service grid when the minutes for that service have simply been increased/decreased, it would make it very difficult for a parent to look at the service grid and discern exactly what their child is receiving.

Rather than deleting the old row and adding a new one, you could also modify the existing row. After you have adjusted the frequency and/or duration of the service, be sure to adjust the start date and expected duration (i.e., it will be less than one year--however much time remains between the start date of the new service and the end date of the IFSP).

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