IEP Related Services in Kansas
What related services can be included in an IEP in Kansas?
Kansas requires that each IEP specify all related services the student requires to benefit from special education. Under K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)(7), the IEP must specify the projected start date, frequency, location, and duration of each related service. Related services in Kansas include speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreation, school health services, school nurse services, counseling services, orientation and mobility services, social work services in schools, parent counseling and training, transportation, and assistive technology services, consistent with 34 CFR 300.34. Kansas requires speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and physical therapists to hold state licensure, and occupational therapists to be licensed or certified by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (K.S.A. 65-5401 et seq. for OT; K.S.A. 65-6301 et seq. for PT; K.S.A. 65-6501 et seq. for SLPs). Assistive technology devices and services must be provided if the IEP team determines they are required, including for use at home when necessary (34 CFR 300.105). All services must be at no cost to the family as part of FAPE.
What Kansas Requires
The IEP must specify each related service with its projected start date, frequency, location, and duration (K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)(7); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(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).
Speech-language pathologists providing services must hold Kansas state licensure (K.S.A. 65-6501 et seq.); occupational therapists must be licensed by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (K.S.A. 65-5401 et seq.); physical therapists must be licensed (K.S.A. 65-6301 et seq.).
Assistive technology devices and services must be provided if required by the IEP, including at home when the team determines it is necessary (34 CFR 300.105).
All related services must be at no cost to the family as part of FAPE (K.S.A. 72-3404; 34 CFR 300.17).
Districts may contract with external providers for related services they cannot provide directly, but all contracted services must meet KSDE standards.
Key Timelines
Related services must begin on the projected start date in the IEP and be in effect at the beginning of each school year (K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)(7); 34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Related services must be reviewed at least annually as part of the IEP review (K.A.R. 91-40-18(a)).
For transfer students within Kansas, comparable services must begin within 10 school days of enrollment (K.A.R. 91-40-17(c)).