Mental Health Services in Tennessee IEPs
What mental health services are available through an IEP in Tennessee?
Tennessee does not have a standalone special education rule specifically dedicated to mental health services, but mental health supports are addressed through the IEP process as related services. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-102(12) and Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.02(12), the definition of related services explicitly includes psychological services, counseling services (including rehabilitation counseling), and social work services in schools. These may be included in the IEP when required for the student to benefit from special education under Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-103. For students with Emotional Disturbance (0520-01-09-.03(5)), the IEP team must consider whether psychological and counseling services are required as part of FAPE. When a student's behavior — including behavior arising from mental health conditions — impedes learning, the IEP team must consider positive behavioral interventions and supports under 0520-01-09-.12 and, where appropriate, conduct an FBA and develop a BIP under 0520-01-09-.24. Tennessee has developed school-based mental health supports through the TN-MTSS framework. The Tennessee Department of Education coordinates with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) for students who may need community-based mental health services, consistent with interagency coordination requirements under 34 CFR 300.154. School psychological services providers must meet Tennessee licensure requirements (Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-106).
What Tennessee Requires
Psychological services, counseling services (including rehabilitation counseling), and social work services may be provided as related services in the IEP if required for the student to benefit from special education (Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-102(12); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.02(12); 34 CFR 300.34(c)(2),(8),(14)).
For students with Emotional Disturbance (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.03(5)), the IEP team must consider whether psychological and counseling services are required as part of FAPE (34 CFR 300.34; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)).
The IEP team must consider positive behavioral interventions and supports for students whose behavior — including behavior arising from mental health conditions — impedes their learning or the learning of others (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.12; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i)).
When behavior is a concern, the team may conduct an FBA (requiring parental consent under 0520-01-09-.04(1)) and develop a BIP under 0520-01-09-.24.
Tennessee coordinates school-based services with community mental health providers through TDMHSAS for wraparound supports (34 CFR 300.154 (interagency coordination)).
School psychological services providers must meet applicable Tennessee licensure requirements (Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-106; 34 CFR 300.156).
Key Timelines
Mental health-related services must be implemented as soon as possible after the IEP is developed (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.12(3)).
The need for mental health-related services must be reviewed at least annually as part of the IEP review (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.12; 34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Any IEP team member may request a meeting within 10 school days to address mental health service concerns (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.12(4)).
Sources
Related IEP Guides
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