Mental Health Services in Missouri IEPs
What mental health services are available through an IEP in Missouri?
Missouri provides mental health-related services to students with disabilities through the special education system primarily as 'related services' under federal law (34 CFR 300.34), which includes psychological services, counseling services, and social work services in schools. For students identified with Emotional Disturbance (ED), the IEP team must address the student's emotional and behavioral needs through IEP goals, services, and behavioral supports. Missouri requires that all students receive mental health awareness training as part of their education under RSMo 170.307 — beginning with the 2022–23 school year, students must receive a minimum of two hours of mental health awareness training aligned with DESE's Social-Emotional Learning Standards. Missouri's school-based mental health (SBMH) system involves interdisciplinary teams led by school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses. The IEP team must consider positive behavioral interventions and supports when behavior impedes learning (34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i)), and may include school-based counseling, psychological services, or social work as related services when required for the child to benefit from special education. Parent counseling and training is also an enumerated related service that may be included in the IEP.
What Missouri Requires
Psychological services, counseling services, and social work services in schools are enumerated related services that must be provided when required for the child to benefit from special education (34 CFR 300.34(c)).
For students with Emotional Disturbance (ED), the IEP must address behavioral and emotional needs through goals, services, and positive behavioral supports (34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i)).
Missouri requires all students to receive a minimum of two hours of mental health awareness training aligned with Missouri K-12 Social-Emotional Learning Standards (RSMo 170.307; 5 CSR 20-200.275, effective 2022–23).
School-based mental health systems in Missouri are led by interdisciplinary teams including school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses (Missouri DESE SBMH guidance).
Parent counseling and training is an enumerated related service that may be included in the IEP when needed to assist parents in understanding their child's needs and supporting special education goals (34 CFR 300.34(c)(8)).
Key Timelines
Mental health related services must be provided beginning on the start date specified in the IEP (34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Mental health service provisions must be reviewed at the annual IEP meeting (34 CFR 300.324(b)).