Homebound Program

1. Special Education Services Homebound Program

2. What is the homebound program? • The homebound program offers a limited educational program to a few students who are temporarily too ill to attend school. • The purpose of the program is to help the student progress in classes in which they are currently enrolled so they are not behind when they return to school.

3. How does it work? • Most, but not all, classes can be supported while a student is enrolled in the homebound program. • The homebound teacher will come to work with the student two or three times per week.

4. How much school does a student have to miss to qualify for homebound services? • 10 continuous days at the secondary level • 15 continuous days at the elementary level • *Students who can attend school part-time will not qualify for homebound services. In such an instance, the family will work with the school to make certain a student completes homework assignments and tests.

5. How is a referral made? • Referrals can be made by a doctor, a parent, a hospital social worker, or by school personnel by calling Cheryl Murray at 557-2545 • The homebound supervisor will complete a referral with the parent/guardian and ask him/her to have a doctor’s note sent to the office. • The supervisor will also request parental permission to visit with the child’s doctor as needed for additional information.

6. What happens once all the paperwork is submitted and the supervisor has approved the student for homebound services? • The supervisor will contact the parent and assign a teacher to work with the child. • The assigned teacher will contact the parent and the child’s school in order to schedule an Individual Education Program(IEP) Meeting. • At the meeting, the IEP will be developed to meet the student’s educational needs. • The curriculum for each student is determined by his/her individual need as determined by his/her class schedule. • The homebound teacher will also be responsible for providing instruction and grades while the student is in the homebound program.

7. How does a child return to school? • When the student has recovered and is ready to return to the regular school, the doctor will issue a medical release. • The homebound teacher will contact the parent and school to schedule an IEP meeting. • Once the IEP meeting has been held, the student will be transferred back to the regular school • The homebound teacher will provide the regular school with grades and any other information requested.

8. Who have we served over the last two years? In the 2003-04 school year, we serviced 51 students • Car accidents – 6 • Gun shot wounds – 2 • Cancer – 7 • Kidney transplants / disease – 2 • Open heart surgery – 1 • Other surgeries / hospitalizations - 16 • Immune diseases – 7 • High risk pregnancy – 8 • Brain infection – 1 • Uncontrolled seizure disorder - 1

9. In the 2004–05 school year as of February 15, 2005, we have served 43 students: • Car accidents – 1 • Cancer – 5 • Kidney transplants / disease – 3 • Heart disease – 1 • Other surgeries / hospitalizations - 19 • Immune diseases – 7 • High risk pregnancy – 4 • Severe illnesses – 3 • We currently have 11 students waiting for medical informationto arrive before homebound placement can be made

10. Characteristics • Most classes are supported while a student is in the homebound program • Teacher works with the student 2 to 3 times a week • At the secondary level, students must have missed 10 continuous days - At the elementary level, students must have missed 15 continuous days • A referral is made and a doctor’s note is needed that states the medical diagnosis and the reason why it keeps the student out of school • Definition • A limited educational program for a few students who are temporarily too ill to attend school • Helps the student progress in classes in which they are currently enrolled so they are not behind when they return to school Homebound • Examples • Students on chemotherapy whose resistance is compromised • Students who have had surgery and have a hospital and/or home recovery for an extended period of time • Students who are on bed rest for a pregnancy complication • Non-Examples • NOT for students who have missed school due to numerous suspensions • NOT for students who have missed many days of school, but only a few days at a time • NOT for students who are pregnant but are healthy

11. Homebound Staff • Supervisor • Cheryl Murray – 557-2545 • Teachers • Dan Chambers • Cecily Lukas • Rachael Moreano • Tony Peterson