Mental Health Services in New Hampshire IEPs
What mental health services are available through an IEP in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, mental health services are available as related services under a student's IEP when the IEP team determines they are necessary for the student to receive educational benefit. Related services in NH incorporate the federal definition under 34 CFR 300.34, which includes psychological services, counseling services, and social work services in schools. School psychologists must be certified under Ed 507.08, which requires demonstrated competencies in mental health interventions, data-based decision making, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and crisis response. NH's multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework provides school-wide mental health supports (Tier 1) for all students, targeted supports (Tier 2) for at-risk students, and individualized intensive supports (Tier 3) including IEP-based services for students with disabilities. Interagency coordination for students with complex multi-agency needs—including mental health—is required under RSA 186-C:7-a, which mandates agreements between NHDOE and health/human services agencies. Districts may also enter into cooperative agreements under RSA 186-C:8 to share approved special education programs.
What New Hampshire Requires
Mental health services—including individual and group counseling, psychological services, social work services, and behavior intervention services—are available as IEP-related services when the team determines they are required for the student to benefit from special education (Ed 1102.01 incorporating 34 CFR 300.34).
School psychologists providing psychological services must hold NH certification under Ed 507.08, which requires demonstrated competencies including mental health interventions, crisis preparation and recovery, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and data-based decision making.
Psychological services include data-based decision making, individual and group assessments of intellectual ability, social-emotional functioning, and mental health treatment to develop social and life skills (Ed 507.08; 34 CFR 300.34(c)(10)).
Social work services in schools include preparing a social or developmental history, group and individual counseling, working with family and community problems affecting the student's adjustment, and mobilizing school and community resources (34 CFR 300.34(c)(14)).
Counseling services must be provided by qualified social workers, psychologists, guidance counselors, or other qualified personnel; rehabilitation counseling is also included in the related services definition (34 CFR 300.34(c)(2)).
Interagency coordination for students with complex multi-agency needs—including mental health—is required under RSA 186-C:7-a, which mandates written agreements between NHDOE and health/human services agencies to ensure efficient service delivery; districts may also form cooperative agreements under RSA 186-C:8.
Key Timelines
Mental health related services must be provided as written in the IEP and must be in effect at the beginning of each school year (34 CFR 300.323(a); Ed 1109.03).
Progress toward IEP goals supported by mental health services must be reported to parents at least as frequently as report cards are issued to nondisabled peers (34 CFR 300.320(a)(3)).
If the IEP team determines mental health services are needed, the revised IEP must be implemented without undue delay after the team meeting (34 CFR 300.323(c)).
Initial IEP (including mental health services) must be in effect within 30 calendar days of the eligibility determination meeting (Ed 1109.03).