Hospital Homebound Program

Definition

  1. A homebound or hospitalized student is a student who has a medically diagnosed physical or mental condition which is a chronic illness or is a repeated intermittent illness due to a persisting medical problem, which confines the student to home or hospital for an extended period of time. The medical diagnosis shall be made by a licensed physician.
  2. The term “licensed physician” is defined as one who is qualified to assess the student’s mental or physical condition.

Eligibility Criteria

A student is eligible for the homebound or hospitalized program if the following criteria are met:
A licensed physician must certify:

  • That the student is expected to be absent from school due to a physical or mental condition for at least fifteen (15) consecutive school days (or the equivalent on a block schedule), or due to a chronic condition for at least fifteen (15) which need not run consecutively.
  • That the student is confined to home or hospital.
  • That the student will be able to participate in and benefit from an instructional program.
  • Student is under medical care for illness or injury which is acute or catastrophic in nature.
  • Certification by a licensed physician that the student can receive an instructional program without endangering the health of the instructor or other students with whom the instructor may come in contact.
  • Student is five (5) years of age or older and is enrolled in a public school prior to the referral for the homebound or hospitalized program.
  • A parent, guardian, or primary caregiver signs parental agreement concerning homebound or hospitalized policies and parental cooperation.
  • Students are eligible for services from their third birthday until they graduate (receive a standard diploma or G.E.D.) or through the school year in which they turn 22.

Service Model

Itinerant (one to one) homebound instruction is provided based on the IEP.   A parent or guardian must be present during instruction.  Generally students receive one hour of instruction per week for core academic courses.

Dismissal Criteria

Dismissal from the program for students who are Homebound or Hospitalized will occur when the physician recommends that the student no longer requires participation in the program and is ready to return to school or there is valid certification of exemption.

For further information please contact:
Exceptional Student Education
Phone:  (352)797-7022