IEP Related Services in New Hampshire
What related services can be included in an IEP in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, related services are specially designed instruction and support services that children with disabilities need to benefit from special education, as defined in RSA 186-C:2 and Ed 1100. Related services must be included in a child's IEP if the IEP team determines they are necessary based on the child's evaluated needs. New Hampshire follows federal IDEA requirements (34 CFR 300) while adding state-specific provisions. The IEP must include a statement of all special education and related services to be provided, based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable, along with program modifications and supports for school personnel. Related services in NH include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, counseling, transportation, health services, interpreter services, assistive technology services, and functional behavioral assessments with positive behavior intervention plans when appropriate. If a functional behavioral assessment exists, the IEP must include data from that assessment and reference a positive behavior intervention plan. School districts remain financially responsible for providing related services to students with disabilities, even when students attend CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs in other districts. The IEP team—including parents, special educators, regular educators, and a district representative—determines what related services each child requires. Parents have the right to participate in all IEP decisions about related services and to request independent educational evaluations.
What New Hampshire Requires
The IEP must include a complete statement of all special education and related services to be provided to the child, based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable, including the frequency, location, and duration of services (Ed 1109, 34 CFR 300.320).
If a functional behavioral assessment has been conducted, the IEP must include data from that assessment and a reference to a positive behavior intervention plan developed by the IEP team (RSA 186-C:7, IV, effective 1/1/2024).
The school district where a child resides remains financially responsible for providing all related services, including to students attending CTE programs in other districts (RSA 188-E:1-a, VI(g)).
Related services must be documented in the IEP with specific information about how the child's progress toward related service goals will be measured and when periodic reports will be provided (Ed 1109).
The IEP team—including at least one parent, at least one special education teacher, at least one regular education teacher, a district representative, and an individual who can interpret evaluation results—determines which related services are necessary based on the child's disability and educational needs (34 CFR 300.321).
Key Timelines
Within 5 instruction days of a parent rejecting an IEP or proposed services, the school district must notify the department through the special education information system and communicate with parents about available dispute resolution processes (RSA 186-C:7, VI, effective 10/1/2024).
School districts must provide written notice to parents regarding IEP decisions, including related services decisions, and may provide this notice electronically by default, unless the parent elects U.S. mail (RSA 186-C:7, V) (RSA 186-C:7, V, effective 1/1/2024).
IEP meetings must be scheduled at mutually agreed-upon times, and the school district must notify parents early enough to ensure an opportunity to attend (34 CFR 300.322).
The Medicaid to Schools program will terminate for a school district if the federal government or NH adopts any policy contrary to requiring parental control of all medical/related services provided to children (RSA 186-C:25, VIII, effective 7/2025).