IEP Related Services in California
What related services can be included in an IEP in California?
In California, related services are called Designated Instruction and Services (DIS), as defined in EC 56363. DIS includes any services required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and the range of services is broadly defined. Under EC 56363(b), DIS may include: language and speech development and remediation; audiological services; orientation and mobility instruction; instruction in the home or hospital; adapted physical education; physical therapy and occupational therapy; vision services; specialized driver training; counseling and guidance, including rehabilitation counseling; psychological services (other than assessment and development of the IEP); parent counseling and training; health and nursing services; social worker services; specially designed vocational education and career development; recreation services; and assistive technology services. California's DIS framework is one of the broadest in the nation—EC 56363(b) explicitly states that the list is not exhaustive, and any service necessary for the child to benefit from special education may be provided as DIS. Under 5 CCR 3051-3065, each DIS category has specific requirements for who may provide the service and minimum qualifications. The IEP must specify the frequency, duration, and location of each DIS service (EC 56345(a)(7)). Services must be determined by the IEP team based on the student's individualized needs and must have a direct relationship to the present levels and goals in the IEP (5 CCR 3040(b)). California requires that DIS be provided at no cost to families as part of FAPE.
What California Requires
The IEP must specify each Designated Instruction and Service (DIS) with its frequency, duration, location, and projected start date (EC 56345(a)(7); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)).
DIS includes but is not limited to: speech-language, audiological, OT, PT, adapted PE, vision, orientation and mobility, counseling, psychological, health/nursing, social work, parent counseling and training, recreation, assistive technology, and specialized vocational education (EC 56363(b)).
The list of DIS is not exhaustive—any service necessary for the child to benefit from special education may be provided (EC 56363(b)).
Each DIS must have a direct relationship to the student's present levels of performance and annual goals in the IEP (5 CCR 3040(b)).
Providers of DIS must meet the qualifications specified in 5 CCR 3051-3065 for each service category.
If the district cannot provide a DIS directly, it may contract with a nonpublic agency (NPA) at no cost to the family (EC 56365-56366).
Key Timelines
DIS must begin on the projected start date documented in the IEP and be in effect at the beginning of each school year (EC 56345(a)(7); 34 CFR 300.323(a)).
DIS must be reviewed at least annually as part of the IEP review (EC 56343(d)).
If a student transfers into a California district from within the state, comparable services must be provided immediately and a new IEP developed within 30 days if needed (EC 56325(a)(1)).
If a student transfers from out of state, the district must provide comparable services and complete evaluations and a new IEP within 30 days (EC 56325(a)(2)).