IEP Related Services in Hawaii
What related services can be included in an IEP in Hawaii?
Hawaii IEPs must specify all related services the student requires to benefit from special education, consistent with HAR § 8-56-28(b)(4) and federal law (34 CFR 300.34). Related services include speech-language pathology, audiology, psychological services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, social work, school health and nursing services, parent counseling and training, transportation, recreation, assistive technology services, orientation and mobility, and interpreting services. Hawaii's single-district structure means related service providers are all HIDOE employees or HIDOE-contracted providers, which can create unique challenges given the state's geography across multiple islands — students on neighbor islands (Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island, Molokai, Lanai) may face access constraints for specialized related services. The IEP must specify the projected start date, frequency, location, and duration of each related service. All services must be provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE.
What Hawaii Requires
The IEP must specify each related service with its projected start date, frequency, location, and duration (HAR § 8-56-28(b)(4), (7); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(4), (7)).
Related services include speech-language, audiology, OT, PT, counseling, psychological services, social work, nursing, transportation, recreation, assistive technology, orientation and mobility, and interpreting services (34 CFR 300.34; HAR § 8-56-2).
Assistive technology devices and services must be provided if required by the IEP, including at home when necessary for FAPE (34 CFR 300.105; HAR § 8-56-28).
Island geography may require creative service delivery arrangements for students on neighbor islands; all HIDOE schools are served by the single statewide district, which is responsible for ensuring equitable access to related services statewide (HRS § 302A-101; HAR § 8-56-36).
All related services must be provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE (HRS § 302H-1; 34 CFR 300.17).
Key Timelines
Related services must begin on the projected start date in the IEP and must be in effect at the beginning of each school year (HAR § 8-56-28(b)(7); 34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Related services must be reviewed at least annually as part of the IEP review (HAR § 8-56-32).
Transfer students must receive comparable related services while a new IEP is being developed; within Hawaii's single district, this applies to inter-island school transfers (34 CFR 300.323(e)-(f)).