IEP Related Services in Indiana
What related services can be included in an IEP in Indiana?
Indiana defines related services in 511 IAC 7-43-1 as transportation and developmental, corrective, and other supportive services required for a student to benefit from special education. The regulation enumerates 17 categories including: audiological services; counseling services; early identification and assessment; interpreting services; medical services (for diagnosis and evaluation only); occupational therapy; orientation and mobility services; parent counseling and training; physical therapy; psychological services; recreation and therapeutic recreation; rehabilitation counseling; school health services; school nurse services; school social work services; transportation; and other supportive services. The Case Conference Committee (CCC) determines which related services are necessary for the student to benefit from special education and includes them in the IEP with frequency, location, duration, and projected start date per 511 IAC 7-42-6(a)(5), (9). Provider qualifications are specified by service type under 511 IAC 7-43-1: psychological services require appropriately licensed psychologists or psychiatrists; school social work requires licensed school social workers; counseling may be provided by school counselors, psychologists, social workers, teachers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, or other qualified professionals. Transportation as a related service must be provided at no cost when required for the student to benefit from special education. Related services must be provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE (IC 20-35-1-7).
What Indiana Requires
The IEP must specify each related service with its frequency, location, duration, and projected start date (511 IAC 7-42-6(a)(5), (9); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)).
Indiana recognizes 17 categories of related services in 511 IAC 7-43-1, including audiological services, OT, PT, speech-language, counseling, psychological services, school social work, school health/nursing, and transportation.
Related services must be provided by qualified professionals meeting state licensure requirements as specified by service type (511 IAC 7-43-1).
Psychological services include planning and managing a program of psychological services, including individual and group counseling for students and parents (511 IAC 7-43-1).
Medical services are available only for diagnostic and evaluation purposes — ongoing medical treatment is not a covered related service (511 IAC 7-43-1).
The CCC must base each related service determination on documented student need; related services must support attainment of IEP goals.
Key Timelines
Related services must begin on the projected start date documented in the IEP and be in effect at the beginning of each school year (511 IAC 7-42-6(a)(9); 34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Related services must be reviewed at least annually at the CCC meeting (511 IAC 7-42-7).