Mental Health Services in Arkansas IEPs
What mental health services are available through an IEP in Arkansas?
Arkansas provides school-based mental health services through both IEP-driven special education channels and broader school health initiatives. Under IDEA, psychological services and counseling services are recognized related services that must be included in an IEP when educationally necessary (34 CFR 300.34). Additionally, Arkansas DESE operates the Arkansas Medicaid in the Schools (MITS) program, which allows LEAs and Education Service Cooperatives (ESCs) to bill Medicaid for school-based mental health services provided by licensed mental health professionals employed by the LEA. Covered services include assessment and diagnostic evaluations, crisis intervention, individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. The School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) program expanded Medicaid coverage to all Medicaid-enrolled students — not only those with IEPs. Arkansas has also invested in the Arkansas Behavior Support Specialists (ARBSS) network to build district capacity for evidence-based behavioral and mental health supports aligned with MTSS frameworks. Psychological counseling required by an IEP must be provided regardless of Medicaid coverage.
What Arkansas Requires
Psychological services and counseling are recognized IEP-related services when educationally necessary to help a student benefit from special education (34 CFR 300.34(c)(10), (c)(2)).
Arkansas LEAs and ESCs may bill Medicaid for school-based mental health services through the MITS program, including assessment, crisis intervention, individual/group/family therapy (Arkansas DESE SBMH Direct Billing guidance).
SBMH services are available to all Medicaid-enrolled students in participating districts, not only students with IEPs (Arkansas DESE SBMH program guidance).
An IEP must reference the counseling or mental health service before it may be billed through MITS (Arkansas DESE MITS Direct Billing guidance).
The IEP team must consider whether behavioral needs require counseling or psychological services as a special consideration, including conducting an FBA when behavior impedes learning (Ark. Admin. Code 005.18.10-001, §8.07.1.2.A).
Counseling services required by the IEP must be provided even if Medicaid does not cover them; IEP obligations are not contingent on insurance coverage (34 CFR 300.154).
School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) Medicaid billing in Arkansas covers licensed clinical services including assessment, crisis intervention, and individual/group/family therapy; LEAs must have a provider agreement with Arkansas Medicaid and use the MITS billing system (Arkansas DESE SBMH Medicaid Direct Billing guidance).
Key Timelines
Mental health related services specified in the IEP must begin no later than 30 calendar days following the IEP meeting (Ark. Admin. Code 005.18.10-001, §8.03.2.1).
IEP-specified mental health services must be reviewed at each annual IEP meeting (34 CFR 300.324(b)).