Mental Health Services in Indiana IEPs
What mental health services are available through an IEP in Indiana?
Indiana's special education framework provides for mental health-related services through the related services provisions of 511 IAC 7-43-1 and through eligibility under the Emotional Disability category (511 IAC 7-41-7). Psychological services and school social work services are both recognized related services that may be included in a student's IEP when determined necessary by the Case Conference Committee (CCC). Counseling services under 511 IAC 7-43-1 may be provided by school social workers, school counselors, school or clinical psychologists, teachers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, or other qualified professionals. Psychological services include planning and managing a program of psychological services including individual and group counseling for students and parents — not just assessment. Students with conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or ADHD that adversely affect educational performance may qualify under Indiana's Emotional Disability category (511 IAC 7-41-7) or Other Health Impairment category (511 IAC 7-41-11). Indiana's Emotional Disability definition requires inability to learn not explained by cognitive, sensory, or health factors, plus one or more qualifying behavioral/emotional characteristics; evaluation must include a functional behavior assessment analyzing interventions used to address referral behaviors and educationally relevant medical/mental health information. When behavior related to mental health needs impedes learning, the CCC must consider positive behavioral interventions and supports as a special factor (511 IAC 7-42-6; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i)).
What Indiana Requires
Psychological services and school social work services are recognized related services that may be included in a student's IEP when determined necessary by the CCC (511 IAC 7-43-1).
Counseling services may be provided by school social workers, counselors, psychologists, teachers, VR counselors, or other qualified professionals — not limited to school psychologists (511 IAC 7-43-1).
Psychological services include individual and group counseling for students and parents — not just psychological assessment (511 IAC 7-43-1).
Students with mental health conditions adversely affecting educational performance may qualify under Indiana's Emotional Disability (511 IAC 7-41-7) or Other Health Impairment (511 IAC 7-41-11) categories.
Indiana's Emotional Disability evaluation must include an FBA analyzing interventions used to address the referral behaviors and educationally relevant medical/mental health information (511 IAC 7-41-7).
When mental health-related behavior impedes learning, the CCC must consider positive behavioral interventions and supports as a special factor in IEP development (511 IAC 7-42-6; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i)).
Key Timelines
Mental health-related services must begin on the projected start date in the IEP and be reviewed at least annually at the CCC meeting (511 IAC 7-42-6(a)(9); 511 IAC 7-42-7).
If mental health needs change significantly, the CCC should reconvene to consider IEP revisions (511 IAC 7-42-7).