IEP Related Services in Ohio
What related services can be included in an IEP in Ohio?
Ohio defines related services in ORC §3323.01(J) as transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. The statutory definition explicitly enumerates: speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation (including therapeutic recreation), school nurse services designed to enable a child to receive FAPE as described in the IEP, counseling services (including rehabilitation counseling), orientation and mobility services, school health services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training (ORC §3323.01(J); 34 CFR 300.34). Medical services are included only for diagnostic and evaluation purposes. The definition excludes surgically implanted medical devices and their maintenance (ORC §3323.01(J)). Under OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(e), the IEP must include a statement of the specific related services to be provided to the child, or on behalf of the child, based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable. The IEP must specify the projected start date, frequency, location, and duration of each related service (ORC §3323.011(G); OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(i); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)). Related services must be provided at no cost to parents as part of FAPE. The IEP team determines which related services are necessary based on the child's individual needs as identified through the Evaluation Team Report (ETR) process (OAC §3301-51-06). Ohio's Operating Standards require that related service providers be appropriately licensed or certified and that services be delivered in accordance with the IEP. All related service providers who are responsible for implementing the IEP must be informed of their specific responsibilities and the specific accommodations, modifications, and supports that must be provided in accordance with the IEP (34 CFR 300.323(d)). Ohio also includes early identification and assessment of disabling conditions in children as part of related services (ORC §3323.01(J)). Transition services under ORC §3323.01(O) are coordinated activities that may incorporate related services needed to facilitate the child's movement from school to post-school activities.
What Ohio Requires
Related services are defined as transportation and supportive services required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, including speech-language pathology, audiology, interpreting, psychological services, PT, OT, recreation, school nurse services, counseling, orientation and mobility, school health, social work, and parent counseling and training (ORC §3323.01(J); 34 CFR 300.34).
Medical services are included only for diagnostic and evaluation purposes; surgically implanted devices and their maintenance are excluded (ORC §3323.01(J)).
The IEP must include a statement of related services based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable (OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(e); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(4)).
The IEP must specify the projected start date, frequency, location, and duration of each related service (ORC §3323.011(G); OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(i); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)).
Related services must be provided at no cost to parents as part of FAPE (ORC §3323.01; 34 CFR 300.17).
All service providers responsible for IEP implementation must be informed of their specific responsibilities and the accommodations, modifications, and supports required by the IEP (34 CFR 300.323(d)).
The need for related services is determined through the ETR process, which evaluates the child's educational needs and identifies required services (OAC §3301-51-06).
Key Timelines
Related services must begin on the projected start date specified in the IEP (OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(i); 34 CFR 300.323(a)).
The IEP must be in effect at the beginning of each school year, including all related services (34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Related services must be reviewed at least annually as part of the IEP review process (OAC §3301-51-07(I)(2); 34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Progress toward goals supported by related services must be reported to parents at least as frequently as report cards are issued to nondisabled peers (OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(d); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(3)).
Reevaluations that may change related service needs must occur at least every three years unless waived by parent-district agreement (OAC §3301-51-06(D)(2)).