The state of Kansas allows local education agencies or school districts the option to develop IFSP's or IEP's with families of children eligible for ECSE services. Each district or educational cooperative decides which plan their agency will use. Some districts or educational cooperatives elect to use the IFSP for all children in their program, others elect to use the IFSP if the family desires to continue using the same process as used in the early intervention program. Some local education agencies or educational cooperatives use only the IEP for all children served in Part B programs.

A date for the initial IEP is selected with the family at least 10 days prior to the meeting. The family is encouraged to bring friends and relatives to the meeting if they desire. At the initial IEP or IFSP meeting the team (including the family) discusses what the child is currently doing and what the child is ready to do, as well as possible goals and objectives for the IEP or outcomes for the IFSP. Therapy, transportation, and other services that are needed to reach goals or outcomes, and where the child will be placed are other topics discussed at the IEP/IFSP meeting. School districts and educational cooperatives are required to place children in their least restrictive environment in which the child's needs can be met. Options include: community program (child care, preschool), Head Start program, home-based program, or a special education preschool program located in a regular elementary school. (See example of IEP/IFSP Comparison in chapter 3 appendix)
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