Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024
(a) Related services, including, but not limited to, counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, school nurse services, recreation, social work services, medical services, and speech-language services, shall be provided to a student with a disability when required for the student to benefit from the educational program. Related services shall be provided by appropriately certified and/or licensed professionals as specified in the student's IEP and according to the following:
1. Counseling services that are provided by school district personnel shall be provided by certified school psychologists, social workers, or guidance counselors.
2. Counseling and/or training services for parents shall be provided to assist them in understanding the special educational needs of their child.
3. Speech and language services may be provided as a related service to a student who is classified as "eligible for special education and related services." Assessment by a speech-language specialist is required. The student shall meet the eligibility criteria for the classification of "eligible for speech-language services" but shall not be classified as such.
4. Occupational therapy and physical therapy may be provided by therapy assistants under the direction of the certified and, where required, licensed therapist in accordance with all applicable State statutes and rules.
i. Prior to the provision of occupational therapy, assessment by a certified (and, where required, licensed) occupational therapist and development of an IEP are required.
ii. Prior to the provision of physical therapy, assessment by a certified and licensed physical therapist and development of an IEP are required.
5. A district board of education or approved private school for students with disabilities may contract for the provision of speech-language services, counseling services, occupational therapy, and/or physical therapy in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:14-5.
6. Recreation shall be provided by certified school personnel.
7. Transportation shall be provided in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:27-5.
8. Nursing services shall be provided as a related service only to the extent such services are designed to enable a child with a disability to receive a free, appropriate public education as described in the student's IEP.
9. Medical services shall be provided as a related service for diagnostic and evaluation purposes only.
10. Therapy services may be integrated into the context of ongoing activities or routines and provided by personnel as set forth in the student's IEP.
11. When related services are provided by non-certified personnel because there is no certification required, such services shall be provided under the supervision of certified district board of education personnel.
12. Other related services shall be provided as specified in the student's IEP.
(b) School personnel may give advice to parents regarding additional services that are not required by this chapter. Such advice places no obligation on the district board of education to provide or fund such services.
