Questions Families Don’t Think to Ask About Their Loved One’s ISP

Your loved one’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP) plays an important role in making sure they have the services and supports they need to work toward their goals.

As a family member, you probably already know to ask about the basics: What services are available? Who will provide them? How will they be funded?

But some of the most helpful questions aren’t always the most obvious.

An ISP should reflect more than what your loved one needs today. It should consider what matters to them, what they want for their future and how their services can help them build the life they envision.

Asking the right questions can help your family take a more active role in that process.

Question 1. Does This Plan Reflect What My Loved One Actually Wants?

It can be easy for an ISP conversation to focus on what your loved one needs help with. But an effective plan should also reflect their interests, preferences, strengths and goals.

Think about what a fulfilling day looks like for your loved one. Where do they want to spend their time? What activities do they enjoy? Are there things they would like to learn or do more independently?

These details can help shape a plan that feels personal rather than simply checking the boxes for required services.

Questions to ask:

• Are my loved one’s personal interests and preferences reflected in the plan?
• What goals are most important to them right now? What is important to think about to achieve future goals?
• Are we planning around what they want to do as well as what they need?

RELATED: The Power of Regular ISP Reviews: Why Check-Ins Matter More Than You Think

Question 2. How Does Each Service Connect to a Specific Goal?

It’s important to know which services your loved one will receive. It’s just as important to understand why those services are part of the plan. Every support should have a purpose.

Ask how each service connects to your loved one’s goals and what progress might look like. This can help your family understand whether the services in the ISP are truly moving your loved one toward greater independence, participation or another outcome that’s meaningful to them.

Questions to ask:

• What goal does this service support?
• What do we hope my loved one will gain from it?
• How will we know whether the service is helping?

Question 3. What Happens If a Service Isn’t Working?

Sometimes a service that looks right on paper isn’t the right fit in practice.

Your loved one may not form a strong working relationship with a particular provider. Their needs may change. A program may not deliver the experience your family expected.

You don’t have to wait until the next annual planning meeting to raise a concern.

Ask your support coordinator what to do if something isn’t working and how changes to the plan can be addressed. Knowing the process ahead of time can make it easier to speak up when your loved one needs something different.

Questions to ask:

• Who should I contact if we have concerns about a service?
• Can services or providers be changed?
• When should we consider updating the ISP?

Question 4. Are There Options We Haven’t Considered?

Families can only ask about services and resources they know exist. But what about the opportunities they are unaware of?

That’s one reason having a knowledgeable support coordinator can be so valuable. Your support coordinator can help you explore options that may fit your loved one’s goals, including services, providers and community resources your family may not have encountered before. Don’t be afraid to ask what else is available.

Questions to ask:

• Are there other services that could support this goal?
• Are there providers or programs we haven’t considered?
• What resources are available in our community?

Question 5. Are We Making the Most of the Available Budget?

Understanding how your loved one’s NJ DDD budget is being used can help you make more informed decisions about their services.

Ask your support coordinator to explain how funds are allocated and whether the current plan makes the best use of the resources available. There may be opportunities to adjust services as your loved one’s priorities or needs evolve.

You don’t need to become an expert in every funding detail. Your support coordinator should help you understand what you need to know to make confident decisions.

Questions to ask:

• How is the budget currently being allocated?
• Is there funding that isn’t being used?
• Could the budget be used differently to better support my loved one’s goals?

RELATED: Navigating NJ DDD Funding Limitations Without Compromising Care

Question 6. What Are We Working Toward Next?

An ISP shouldn’t only solve today’s needs. It should also help your loved one move toward what’s next.

That might mean becoming more independent at home, developing new skills, becoming more involved in the community or building stronger social connections.

Even if a long-term goal feels far away, asking about it now can help your family identify smaller steps that can begin today.

Questions to ask:

• What could the next stage of independence look like?
• What skills could my loved one start building now?
• Are today’s services helping prepare them for their longer-term goals?

Question 7. When Should We Revisit the Plan?

Your loved one’s goals and needs aren’t static, and their ISP shouldn’t be either.

The ISP is reviewed at least once a year, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait for the annual review to make a change. If your loved one’s needs, goals or circumstances change, the plan can be updated as needed.

Talk with your support coordinator about how your loved one’s progress will be monitored and when a change might mean it’s time to revisit the plan.

Questions to ask:

• How will we track progress toward these goals?
• What changes should prompt us to revisit the ISP before the annual review?
• How can our family share updates throughout the year?

Your Family Should Feel Confident in the Plan

You don’t need to walk into an ISP meeting knowing every question to ask. That’s part of what your support coordinator is there for.

A great support coordinator takes the time to understand your loved one, helps your family explore the options available and makes sure the ISP continues to reflect what’s important to the person at the center of it.

Skylands helps families understand their options, make informed decisions and ensure their loved one’s ISP continues to reflect their goals and needs. Contact us today.