Related Service
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that eligible students receive necessary supports to progress in the general education curriculum. These supports include related services provided through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Psychological and Counseling Services are part of these related services. The PCRS publication assists local educational agencies to identify eligible students, implement services, and monitor progress, offering a framework for necessary psychological counseling.
Publication
Psychological Counseling as a related service
Guidance for IEP Teams
Psychological counseling in schools ranges from general supports like SWPBIS to individualized services, documented in the IEP. Intensive services may require specific IEP goals, with clear documentation of location, frequency, and duration. Counseling providers must track sessions and report progress during IEP meetings. Discontinuation of services is based on IEP team decisions, including parental input. Counseling may also be extended to families if necessary and documented in the IEP.
Determining Counseling Effectiveness and Continuing Need for Services
Measuring the effectiveness of counseling is crucial for student mental wellness, providing insights into which strategies work best. Frequent assessment helps adjust or phase out services as needed and ensures that counseling remains effective. Ongoing evaluation informs the IEP team and parents about student progress, enabling them to reinforce learned skills across different environments. Other considerations include:
- The aim or purpose of counseling must be stated in observable and measurable terms
- Include criteria for how the effectiveness of treatment will be assessed (summative and formative measures)
- Ensure progress is visible to students and parents to enhance student motivation
Fidelity of Service Delivery
When psychological counseling is provided, the IEP team should ensure its consistent and accurate delivery. This involves verifying that the service is implemented as planned, at the right frequency, and with student engagement. Incorporate session logs, progress notes, observational data, and team input for verification. Plan for scenarios like missed sessions or minimal engagement and use diverse data sources to review progress, assess effectiveness, and make informed decisions about the student's progress.
Partnering with Community Providers
Counseling services outside the school are vital to comprehensive psychological support. The IEP team must collaborate with external agencies to ensure students receive appropriate services. Effective interagency collaboration among schools, parents, students, and agencies creates a seamless care system. Understanding agency services and processes allows the IEP team to recommend appropriate involvement. An interagency liaison should establish:
- Methods to increase awareness of available services
- Structure for collaboration Streamlined referral process
- Defined relationships parameters
- Agreed-upon problem-solving processes
- Procedures for parental input and goals