Top 5 Mistakes in ISP Planning and How to Avoid Them

Creating an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) is an important opportunity to shape meaningful goals, gather key information, and collaborate with your support coordinator. While the process can feel complex, understanding common challenges ahead of time can help. 

Feeling overwhelmed or stressed is totally normal, but ISPs, ultimately, play a key role in shaping services, supports, and long-term outcomes. Most importantly, learning how to avoid these common mistakes leads to more meaningful, person-centered plans for a fulfilling future.

READ MORE: 10 FAQs About Support Coordination

Mistake #1: Going Into the ISP Meeting Without Clear Goals

Being prepared for your ISP meeting is one of the most proactive things you can do to ensure a successful conversation. However, not having several clear goals can ultimately lead to limited effective services. 

Oftentimes, individuals and their families come in with very vague goals, such as “I want to be more independent” or “I want my loved one to be happy.” While these sentiments are understandable, they don’t provide the ISP team with the measurable, specific information needed to create actionable steps and allocate appropriate resources.

How to Avoid It: Before the meeting, individuals and families should collaborate and define two or three S.M.A.R.T. goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 

For instance, instead of “more independent,” a goal might be: “By the next annual review, [Your Name] will build greater independence with daily living skills, such as preparing a simple lunch, with appropriate support as needed.” Having these concrete goals ready ensures the meeting focuses on tangible, service-driven outcomes.

Mistake #2: Focusing Only on Immediate Needs

An ISP is not a short-term document. Short-sighted focus can lead to service gaps and significant stress when major life changes occur. Instead, an ISP should balance current support with future planning. A well-constructed ISP should proactively address these future transitions.

How to Avoid It: Think ahead to major life changes and developmental milestones. The ISP should function as a living roadmap that anticipates future transitions, such as aging out of school services, moving out of the family home, entering the workforce, or exploring post-secondary options.

Utilize the ISP not just to support where you are today, but also to actively build skills and foster greater independence. Goals should incorporate skill-building that prepares you for these future roles.

Lastly, leverage your support coordinator’s experience with long-term planning. These professionals have guided many individuals and families through these exact transitions. Ask them for typical timelines, resources, and potential service funding changes that accompany major life changes, and ensure the ISP reflects a strategy to address them proactively.

Mistake #3: Underutilizing Available Services and Supports

When individuals and their families are beginning to work on their ISP, many don’t know the number of supports and services available to them to create the most effective plan possible. The full spectrum of resources provided by the state, local agencies, and community organizations can be overwhelming. Failing to incorporate the right elements can result in a less comprehensive and less effective ISP. But this is what your support coordinator is here for!

How to Avoid it: To effectively minimize limiting the scope of the ISP, it is crucial to work closely with your support coordinator to secure a complete and exhaustive list of every eligible service and available community resource. 

Resist the temptation to assume that certain beneficial programs are out of reach; instead, proactively and persistently inquire about any service that has the potential to significantly boost independence and overall quality of life. This includes a wide array of options such as therapeutic services like horseback riding, social enrichment programs like social skills groups, and essential programs for future success like vocational rehabilitation. 

It is your right to insist that the full spectrum of support options be thoroughly investigated and formally documented within the ISP, ensuring the final plan is a comprehensive document that actively capitalizes on every available opportunity for support and growth.

Mistake #4: Not Fully Participating in the ISP Meeting

ISP meetings, while crucial, can sometimes be intimidating for individuals and families, leading to a reluctance to fully advocate for themselves or loved one. It’s understandable that this hesitation might happen, but it can unfortunately mean missing out on some helpful supports.

How to Avoid It: Prepare by creating a “vision statement” or a simple, one-page summary of your current needs, goals, strengths, and desired future outcomes. This sets the agenda, grounds the conversation in your aspirations, and ensures that the team understands your perspective from the start. Remember that you are the expert, and your voice is essential to the person-centered planning process.

Actively advocate for the inclusion of non-traditional or creative supports that truly match your unique preferences and learning style. If a service is deemed necessary to achieve a stated goal, be persistent in requesting its inclusion in the plan. Do not hesitate to ask clarifying questions about terminology, service limitations, or anything else. 

Ultimately, the ISP is a binding document. Before concluding the meeting and signing the final paperwork, take the time to thoroughly review the draft plan. Ensure that the goals, services, allocated hours, and responsibilities accurately reflect the consensus reached during the discussion. 

If you notice any omissions or inaccuracies, insist on corrections. A meticulous review prevents future service delivery issues and guarantees that the plan truly serves the best interests of your loved one.

Mistake #5: Treating the ISP as a Static Document

Since ISPs are binding documents, it can be easy to think of them as a once-and-done deal. However, ISPs are tailored to fit your unique needs. Oftentimes, changes in life circumstances affect the services offered to them, including financial status, education level, and living arrangements.

When you transition into adulthood and become more independent, it can be hard to gauge the services and support you need. The most effective approach is to view the ISP as a dynamic, “living” document.

How to Avoid it: Rely on the regular check-ins your support coordinator conducts—typically at least once a month—to review services, discuss what’s working, and identify any emerging needs. These ongoing conversations are designed to catch changes early, especially after major life events such as a job change, move, or shift in health or behavior.

Rather than waiting for the annual ISP meeting, individuals and families can use these routine touchpoints to raise concerns, explore adjustments, and request updates to the plan. Most ISPs can be amended at any time through an addendum or formal review. By maintaining open communication with the support coordinator and service providers, the plan can evolve alongside your goals, needs, and stage of life.

How a Trusted Support Coordinator Helps Families Navigate ISP Planning

A dedicated and knowledgeable support coordinator is arguably the most vital resource an individual and family has when navigating the complexities of the Individualized Service Plan (ISP) process. They serve not only as administrators but also as key partners who provide expertise, advocacy, and continuity.

A trusted support coordinator transforms the potentially overwhelming ISP process into a structured, manageable journey by:

• Acting as a guide before, during, and after the ISP meeting: They ensure individuals and families understand every step of the process, preparing them for discussions and following up on implementation.
• Helping you identify priorities and translate them into measurable goals: They assist in moving from vague desires (“more independence”) to specific, S.M.A.R.T. goals that drive effective service allocation.
• Explaining available services, eligibility, and funding options in clear terms: They demystify the often-complex landscape of state and local resources, ensuring individuals and families are aware of the full spectrum of available supports.
• Advocating for the individual to ensure the ISP reflects real needs—not just what’s easiest to approve: They use their knowledge of the system to push for services and supports that truly align with the individual’s unique preferences and long-term aspirations.
• Coordinating with providers and ensuring services align with ISP goals: They act as a central hub, making sure all service providers are working toward the common objectives outlined in the ISP.
• Monitoring progress and recommending updates as needs evolve: They maintain a dynamic view of the plan, proactively suggesting amendments and adjustments when a loved one’s circumstances. 
• Providing reassurance, structure, and continuity throughout the planning process: Their consistent presence and professional expertise alleviate family stress, creating a stable foundation for effective long-term planning.

READ MORE: Common Misconceptions About Support Coordination Services

Final Thoughts

ISP planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or confusing. By understanding the common pitfalls and proactively preparing, you can drastically improve the quality of your services and long-term outcomes. Avoiding these common mistakes leads to stronger, more effective plans that truly reflect a person-centered approach. 

With the support of a trusted support coordinator, individuals and families can approach ISP meetings with confidence and clarity, ensuring the resulting plan is a robust roadmap for a fulfilling future. Reach out to Skylands Family Support to learn more about the support and services you have access to while creating your or your loved one’s ISP.