IEP Related Services in Utah
What related services can be included in an IEP in Utah?
Utah requires that each IEP specify all related services the student requires to benefit from special education. Related services in Utah are governed by Utah Admin. Code R277-750-2(2) and Utah Code § 53E-7-207(2), and align with the federal definition in 34 CFR 300.34. They include, but are not limited to: speech-language pathology and audiology, psychological services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling services, social work services, school health services, orientation and mobility services, parent counseling and training, transportation, interpreting services, recreation, assistive technology services, and transition services. Under Utah Code § 53E-7-207(2)(a), LEAs must provide related services at no cost to the eligible student. The IEP must specify the projected start date, frequency, location, and duration of each related service. Utah-licensed providers must deliver services within their scope of practice under Utah Admin. Code R277-750-2(6) and applicable DOPL (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing) requirements; districts may contract with outside agencies when they cannot provide services directly but remain responsible for ensuring appropriate, timely delivery. Transportation as a related service must be provided when required for the student to access special education. Assistive technology devices and services must be provided when required by the IEP, including at home when the IEP team determines it is necessary for FAPE. The Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind (USDB) under Utah Code § 53G-15-901 may provide related services for students with sensory disabilities on behalf of LEAs.
What Utah Requires
The IEP must specify each related service with its projected start date, frequency, location, and duration (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-2(2); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)).
Related services must be provided by qualified, appropriately licensed or certified personnel consistent with Utah licensure requirements and DOPL standards (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-2(6); 34 CFR 300.34).
All related services must be provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE (Utah Code § 53E-7-207(2)(a); 34 CFR 300.17).
Transportation as a related service must be provided at no cost to the family when necessary for the student to benefit from special education (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-2(2); 34 CFR 300.34(c)(16)).
Assistive technology devices and services must be provided when required by the IEP, including at home when necessary for FAPE (34 CFR 300.105; Utah Admin. Code R277-750-2(2)).
Districts may contract with outside agencies for related services they cannot provide directly, but retain responsibility for ensuring appropriate, timely delivery (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-2(2); Utah Code § 53E-7-207(2)).
USDB may provide related services for students with deafness, hearing impairment, visual impairment, or deaf-blindness on behalf of LEAs statewide (Utah Code § 53G-15-901; Utah Admin. Code R277-800).
Key Timelines
Related services must begin on the projected start date specified in the IEP and be in effect at the beginning of each school year (34 CFR 300.323(a); Utah Admin. Code R277-750-2(2)).
Related services must be reviewed at least annually as part of the IEP review (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-2(2); 34 CFR 300.324(b)).
For transfer students within Utah, comparable services must be provided while a new IEP is developed (34 CFR 300.323(e); Utah Admin. Code R277-750-2(2)).
An initial IEP must be developed within 30 calendar days of eligibility determination, at which point all related services must be specified (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-2(1)).
Sources
Related IEP Guides
IEP Services Explained: What Your Child Should Be Getting
Understand IEP related services — speech, OT, PT, counseling, and more. Learn direct vs. consultative models and what to do if services aren't delivered.
The IEP Says 30 Minutes of Speech. My Child Gets 15.
What to do when your child's IEP services aren't delivered as written — how to discover the gap, document it, and hold the school accountable.
Compensatory Services: What Your Child Is Owed When the School Falls Short
What compensatory services are, when your child is entitled to them, how to request them, and what to do when IEP services are missed.