IEP Related Services in Colorado
What related services can be included in an IEP in Colorado?
Colorado's ECEA Rules at §2.38 (1 CCR 301-8) define related services consistent with federal law as developmental, corrective, or supportive services required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. Colorado's enumerated related services include: audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreation and therapeutic recreation, counseling services, orientation and mobility services, medical services (for diagnostic/evaluation purposes only), school health and nursing services, social work services in schools, parent counseling and training, and transportation. Assistive technology devices and services are provided as required by the IEP. The administrative unit (AU) — Colorado's term for the local education agency — is responsible for providing all related services specified in the IEP at no cost to parents, regardless of whether the AU employs qualified personnel directly (C.R.S. §22-20-108; 34 CFR 300.34). BOCES (Boards of Cooperative Educational Services) in Colorado often provide specialized related services on a cooperative basis to member districts.
What Colorado Requires
All related services specified in the IEP must be provided at no cost to parents by the administrative unit (AU), Colorado's equivalent of the LEA (1 CCR 301-8, §2.03; C.R.S. §22-20-108).
Related services include audiology, interpreting, psychological services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreation, counseling, social work, school health/nursing, parent counseling and training, transportation, and orientation/mobility (1 CCR 301-8, §2.38).
The IEP must specify the frequency, location, duration, and projected start date for each related service (34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)).
Medical services are covered as a related service only when provided for diagnostic or evaluation purposes, not for ongoing medical treatment (1 CCR 301-8, §2.38; 34 CFR 300.34(c)(5)).
Assistive technology devices and services must be provided when required to implement the child's IEP (34 CFR 300.105; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(v)).
Key Timelines
Related services must be in place as specified in the IEP beginning on the start date identified in the IEP (34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Related service provisions must be reviewed at each annual IEP meeting, at minimum every 365 days (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(3)).