Mental Health Services in Louisiana IEPs
What mental health services are available through an IEP in Louisiana?
Mental health services in Louisiana special education are addressed primarily through the related services framework of Bulletin 1706 and the IEP behavior support requirements. Counseling services — including psychological counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and social work services — are recognized as related services that may be included in an IEP when required for a student to benefit from special education (Bulletin 1706, §905). Psychological services are also a listed related service, requiring eligibility determination through evaluation under Bulletin 1508. For students with emotional disturbance or other behavioral/mental health needs, the IEP team must consider positive behavioral interventions and supports (Bulletin 1706, §324(A)). Louisiana's official exceptionality category is 'Emotional Disturbance' consistent with federal IDEA. Louisiana's Coordinated System of Care (CSoC) provides Medicaid-funded wraparound behavioral health services for youth with significant behavioral health needs. School-based mental health services may be integrated into the IEP as related services, and school nurses may administer prescribed medications as part of school health services.
What Louisiana Requires
Counseling services, psychological services, rehabilitation counseling, and school social work services are listed related services that may be included in the IEP when required to benefit from special education (Bulletin 1706, §905).
Bulletin 1706, §905
Psychological services and school social work services require formal eligibility evaluation under Bulletin 1508 before they can be provided as related services (Bulletin 1508, §1501(B)).
Bulletin 1508, §1501(B)
The IEP team must consider positive behavioral interventions and supports for students whose behavior, including behavior related to mental health needs, impedes their learning (Bulletin 1706, §324(A)).
Bulletin 1706, §324(A)
Louisiana's Act 264 (La. R.S. 17:3601-3606) authorizes LEAs to contract with community mental health providers to deliver school-based mental health services, expanding access beyond traditional related services.
La. R.S. 17:3601-3606 (Act 264)
Louisiana's Coordinated System of Care (CSoC) provides Medicaid-funded wraparound behavioral health services for youth with significant needs; IEP teams should coordinate with CSoC providers when students receive wraparound services.
Louisiana CSoC (OBH/Magellan); LDOE coordination guidance
Key Timelines
Mental health related services must begin within 10 school days of IEP development (Bulletin 1530, §105(A)).
Mental health service needs must be reassessed at each annual IEP review (Bulletin 1706, §324(B)).