IEP Related Services in Minnesota
What related services can be included in an IEP in Minnesota?
Minnesota requires that each IEP specify all related services the student requires to benefit from special education, consistent with federal law (34 CFR 300.34) as implemented in Minnesota. 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. Under Minn. R. 3525.2810, subp. 1(F), the IEP must specify the projected start date, frequency, location, and duration of each related service. Minnesota requires that paraprofessional support, when needed, be documented in the IEP with a statement of need and specific responsibilities (Minn. R. 3525.2810, subp. 1(H)) — this is a Minnesota-specific requirement beyond federal baseline. Developmental Adapted Physical Education (DAPE) is a Minnesota-specific related service and eligibility category (Minn. R. 3525.1352). Caseload limits for related service providers are addressed in Minn. R. 3525.2340. The district may contract for related services when it cannot provide them directly, but all services must be at no cost to the family.
What Minnesota Requires
The IEP must specify each related service with its projected start date, frequency, location, and duration (Minn. R. 3525.2810, subp. 1(F); 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).
The IEP must include a statement of need for any paraprofessional and describe the paraprofessional's specific responsibilities — a Minnesota-specific requirement beyond federal law (Minn. R. 3525.2810, subp. 1(H)).
Developmental Adapted Physical Education (DAPE) is a Minnesota-specific eligibility category and related service for students with significant motor impairments; it may be included as a related service in an IEP (Minn. R. 3525.1352).
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; Minn. R. 3525.2810).
Districts may contract for related services they cannot provide directly, but all services must be at no cost to the family (Minn. Stat. § 125A.08; Minn. R. 3525.1550).
Caseload guidelines for related service providers are established to ensure adequate service delivery (Minn. R. 3525.2340).
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 (34 CFR 300.323(a); Minn. R. 3525.2810, subp. 1(F)).
Related services must be reviewed at least annually as part of the IEP review (Minn. R. 3525.3100).
For transfer students, comparable services must be provided while a new IEP is being developed (per federal baseline, 34 CFR 300.323(e)-(f)).