The District provides speech and/or language therapy to students who are eligible under an Individualized Education Plan.

School-based Speech-Language Pathologists are part of the special education team at each site. Speech Therapy is a service that can be provided if a student has a recognized speech or language impairment that adversely affects his/her educational performance. 34 CFR Section 300.8(c)(11) defines a speech or language impairment as a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. When speech therapy is recommended through the IEP team, the level of services is dependent upon the student’s educational goals.

The District provides occupational therapy to students who are eligible under an Individualized Education Plan.

School-based Occupational Therapists (OTs) are part of the special education team at each site. Occupational therapy is a related service that can be provided if a student has a recognized disability or disorder that adversely affects his/her educational performance and includes developmental, academic and functional skills. Related services, such as OT, are provided when needed to support the student in meeting his/her educational goals. When OT is recommended through the IEP team, the level of OT support is dependent upon the student’s educational goals.

School Psychology Services and Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) are provided under the umbrella of special education when a student with a disability requires the assistance of these related services to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

Novato’s behavioral health team includes a school Psychologist, a Behaviorist and a Coordinator of Behavioral Health.

Success in school is linked to health and health is linked to school success. Quality of life is linked to both health and school success. School nurses are in schools to support learning and to ensure a safe learning environment.

• Federal Law (IDEA) defines services required for students with an Individual Educational Plan (IEP). A school nurse is a member of the Individualized Education Program teams for each student with a disability. They assess for each initial IEP and triennial review.
• Section 504 of the Federal Law requires health service for children with any disability affecting school performance. A school nurse may be a member of the 504 team.
• Services can also be delineated through a well-developed Individual Health Plan that may be included in an IEP or a Section 504 Accommodations Plan.

Additionally, school nurses provide a variety of health-related services including vision and hearing screenings, communicable disease education and prevention, parent education and are liaisons between medical providers and the school. The school nurses oversee treatment nurses and paraprofessionals who provide specialized health care services to identified students.