Mental Health Services in Florida IEPs
What mental health services are available through an IEP in Florida?
Florida provides school-based mental health services through multiple intersecting frameworks. F.S. §1006.041 requires each school district to develop and implement a school-based mental health assistance program funded through the Mental Health Assistance Allocation (MHAA) created by F.S. §1011.62(13). Each district receives a minimum of $100,000 from MHAA plus a proportionate share of remaining funds based on unweighted FTE enrollment; total statewide appropriations are set annually in the General Appropriations Act. For ESE students, mental health-related services including counseling and psychological counseling may be specified as related services on the IEP when the IEP team determines they are necessary for the student to benefit from special education (FAC 6A-6.03028; 34 CFR §300.34). Counseling as a related service is provided on a case-by-case basis by the IEP team and is distinct from general guidance counseling available to all students. F.S. §1006.04 establishes a multiagency network for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities, coordinating education, mental health, child welfare, and juvenile justice services to provide integrated educational, residential, and mental health treatment services in the least restrictive manner. Florida's MTSS framework, referenced in FAC 6A-6.0331, integrates universal mental health screening and tiered supports within the same Multi-Tiered System of Supports used for academic and behavioral interventions, ensuring mental health is addressed proactively as part of every school's overall support structure.
What Florida Requires
Each school district must develop and implement a school-based mental health assistance program per F.S. §1006.041
Mental health plans must focus on a multitiered system of supports with evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, intervention, treatment, and recovery services (F.S. §1006.041(2))
Districts must directly employ or contract with licensed mental health professionals including certified school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and other licensed mental health professionals; districts must also contract with community behavioral health providers for on-site and telehealth services (F.S. §1006.041(2)(a)-(b))
Plans must include policies ensuring mental health screening occurs within 15 days of referral; school-based services must be initiated within 15 days after identification and assessment; community-based services must begin within 30 days after school referral (F.S. §1006.041(2)(c))
Plans must include de-escalation procedures for crisis situations, including specific strategies for students with developmental disabilities (F.S. §1006.041(2)(f))
Counseling and psychological counseling may be included on the IEP as a related service when the IEP team determines it is necessary for the student to benefit from special education (FAC 6A-6.03028; 34 CFR §300.34(c)(2))
Psychological counseling as a related service must be provided by psychologists or school psychologists licensed under Chapter 490 or certified by FDOE (FAC 6A-6.03028)
The multiagency network under F.S. §1006.04 coordinates mental health treatment, child welfare, and juvenile justice for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities
FDOE may award grants to school districts for multiagency network development for students with severe emotional disturbance (F.S. §1006.04)
Districts must submit mental health assistance plans to the Department of Education annually by August 1 (F.S. §1006.041(3))
Annual reporting on program outcomes and expenditures is required by September 30 each year (F.S. §1006.041(4))
Florida's MTSS framework integrates mental health supports across three tiers of intervention — universal, targeted, and intensive — aligned with FAC 6A-6.0331 and BEESS guidance
Key Timelines
School-based mental health assistance plans must be submitted to the Department of Education annually by August 1 (F.S. §1006.041(3))
Annual outcome and expenditure reports due by September 30 each year (F.S. §1006.041(4))
Mental health screening must be initiated within 15 days of referral (F.S. §1006.041(2)(c))
School-based mental health services must be initiated within 15 days after identification and assessment (F.S. §1006.041(2)(c))
Community-based mental health services must be initiated within 30 days after school referral (F.S. §1006.041(2)(c))