IEP Related Services in South Carolina
What related services can be included in an IEP in South Carolina?
South Carolina provides related services consistent with IDEA requirements under Regulation 43-243 and 34 CFR 300.34. Related services are defined as developmental, corrective, or supportive services required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. South Carolina's enumerated related services include: audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreation and therapeutic recreation, counseling services, orientation and mobility services, medical services (for diagnostic/evaluation purposes only), school health and nursing services, social work services in schools, parent counseling and training, speech-language pathology, and transportation. Assistive technology devices and services are provided as required by the IEP. The local education agency (LEA) — South Carolina's school districts — is responsible for providing all related services specified in the IEP at no cost to parents, regardless of whether the LEA employs qualified personnel directly (S.C. Code Ann. § 59-33-30; 34 CFR 300.34). South Carolina requires that sign language interpreters working in schools undergo background checks equivalent to those required of educators and meet credentialing standards established by the State Board (S.C. Code Ann. § 59-33-120).
What South Carolina Requires
All related services specified in the IEP must be provided at no cost to parents by the LEA (Reg. 43-243; S.C. Code Ann. § 59-33-30; 34 CFR 300.34).
Related services include audiology, interpreting, psychological services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreation, counseling, social work, school health/nursing, parent counseling and training, speech-language pathology, transportation, and orientation/mobility (Reg. 43-243; 34 CFR 300.34).
The IEP must specify the frequency, location, duration, and projected start date for each related service (34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)).
Medical services are covered as a related service only when provided for diagnostic or evaluation purposes, not for ongoing medical treatment (34 CFR 300.34(c)(5)).
Assistive technology devices and services must be provided when required to implement the child's IEP (34 CFR 300.105; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(v)).
Sign language interpreters in South Carolina schools must undergo background checks pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 59-25-115 and meet credentialing standards established by the State Board (S.C. Code Ann. § 59-33-120).
Key Timelines
Related services must be in place as specified in the IEP beginning on the start date identified in the IEP (34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Related service provisions must be reviewed at each annual IEP meeting, at minimum every 12 months (34 CFR 300.324(b)).