Mental Health Services in Utah IEPs
What mental health services are available through an IEP in Utah?
Utah addresses mental health services for students with disabilities through both its special education framework and broader school mental health initiatives. Under IDEA and Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201, psychological services, counseling services, and social work services are recognized related services that may be included in an IEP when a student requires them to benefit from special education. Students with emotional or mental health conditions that adversely affect educational performance may qualify under the Emotional Disturbance category (34 CFR 300.8(c)(4)) or, for conditions that limit alertness or vitality, under Other Health Impairment. Utah Admin. Code R277-500 addresses general school counseling programs. The Utah State Legislature has increased school mental health funding in recent years through the Mental Health in Schools program and School Safety and Mental Health Grants. When behavior impedes learning due to mental health concerns, the IEP team must consider positive behavioral interventions, supports, and strategies (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i)). School-based mental health services may also be provided through coordinated agreements between LEAs and local mental health authorities under Utah Code § 53G-9-703.
What Utah Requires
Psychological services, counseling services, and social work services are recognized IDEA related services that may be included in an IEP when the student requires them to benefit from special education (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201; 34 CFR 300.34).
Students with mental health conditions that adversely affect educational performance may qualify under the Emotional Disturbance or Other Health Impairment categories (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201; 34 CFR 300.8(c)(4), (c)(9)).
When behavior impedes a student's learning due to mental health concerns, the IEP team must consider positive behavioral interventions, supports, and strategies (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i)).
LEAs may coordinate with local mental health authorities to provide school-based mental health services; such coordination must ensure services are provided at no cost when required by the IEP (Utah Code § 53G-9-703; Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201).
Mental health-related IEP services must be specified with frequency, location, duration, and projected start date (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)).
Key Timelines
Mental health related services specified in the IEP must begin on the projected start date (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201; 34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Services must be reviewed at least annually at the IEP meeting (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201; 34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Referrals to outside mental health agencies must not delay provision of IEP-required mental health services (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201).