This monograph presents identified best practices in the development of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) as required for families who have young children with disabilities, by Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments (1986). Chapter One presents an overview of the monograph's development and use. Chapter Two discusses the philosophy and conceptual framework of the IFSP, and Chapter Three details the IFSP sequence, giving examples. Chapter Four focuses on building positive relationships between professionals and families (e.g., interpersonal skills needed by professionals and organizational support for interpersonal processes); and Chapter Five presents practices for identifying children's strengths and needs. Identification of family concerns, priorities, and resources is the subject of Chapter Six. Development of the IFSP itself, including outcomes, strategies, activities, and services, is detailed in Chapter Seven, while Chapter Eight presents principles for implementation of the IFSP (e.g., opportunities for experimentation, service coordination principles, protection of family rights). Chapter Nine looks at future directions of the IFSP. Also provided are a glossary and 85 references. Appendixes include sample IFSPs; family-centered principles, guidelines, and checklists; assessment resources; resources for identifying family concerns, priorities, and resources for evaluating the IFSP process; and a reader's monograph reaction sheet. (DB)