Overview

• Homebound Program Criteria and Services

• Hospital/Homebound Procedures and Responsible Person(s)

• Homebound Program Guidelines

• How to Apply & Homebound Forms

2017-2018 Public Schools of Robeson County Homebound Instructions Guide

Overview of Homebound Services

Homebound instruction is designed to provide stability of educational services among classrooms and homes for students whose medical needs interrupt consistent school attendance. If evidence verifies that he or she is unable to attend the public school as the result of physical or medical reasons, then the student may be eligible for homebound services.

1. Accident Victims

2. Surgery

3. Other (Extended Illness)

4. Pregnancy –Pregnancy is not considered a medical condition that meets eligibility criteria for Homebound unless a licensed physician certifies that the student’s medical condition confines the student. Individual needs rather than blanket eligibility periods guide eligibility periods. If a student with pregnancy complications requests homebound services, students must complete the necessary forms as well as including the following information:

1. Specific medical complications that confines the student to the home or hospital;

2. Estimated delivery date;

3. Estimated length of time that student will be confined to home. Pregnant girls should be responsible for collecting instruction/assignments from regular education teachers. If extenuating circumstances exists, as verified by the medical physician, homebound teachers will assist with academic assignments.

Note: Medical statement must be re-certified by the treating physician every nine (9) weeks for long-term students.

A committee at the Central Office will assign students to the Homebound Program. Designated personnel at the central office has the authority to approve or deny students. Denials can be made when doctor’s documentation states that the student will be able to attend school within a (4) week time or if student does not meet guidelines for the program. Priorities of the Homebound Services are as follows:

(a) Accident victims, (b) Surgery, (c) Other extended illnesses, (d) Pregnancy.

Hours and Location of Homebound Services

• Based on a regular five-day school week, secondary students are generally provided with two and one-half (2.5) hours per week for each class. Elementary students are generally provided with five (2) hours of instructional services per regular two-day school week. Students who do not normally attend a full day of school (early childhood and kindergarten) have a proportionally fewer number of hours.

• Homebound instruction is delivered during regular school hours.

• Assignments and materials provided by the classroom teacher must be used by the homebound teacher.

• The location of services will be designated by the Office of Student Services and may be delivered in the student’s home. Homebound teachers can take into consideration parent request but not all requests can be accommodated.

• Services provided in the home require a home visit to be completed prior to the initiation of services, an adult must be present at all times, and all pets must be confined prior to the arrival of the homebound teacher.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

• Homebound instruction is considered a school-sponsored activity regardless of the venue.

Missed sessions

• Make-up sessions will only be allowed for sessions missed due to illness or family emergencies and when cancellations are made 24 hours prior to a scheduled session.

• Unless a session can be made up during the same week it was missed, it cannot be made up without permission from the Director of Student Services or the Assistant Superintendent.

• Sessions missed due to cancellation by the homebound teacher will be made up.

• Having accumulated (3) or more missed sessions without contacting or attempting to reschedule a homebound service will result in termination of homebound services and attendance in the base school will begin effective on the first missed homebound instructional day that was missed.

Technology

• The use of available technology for the student to participate in some classroom activities from home and to support instruction will be considered when appropriate. Homebound services are unable to supply internet connection or laptops to utilize during instruction. This should be provided by the parent/guardian.

Grading

• Frequent communication is required between the classroom and homebound teachers, and all work completed by the student is turned in to the classroom teacher.

• The classroom teacher is the teacher of record and is responsible for assigning the quarter, semester, and final grades to the student.

• Every effort will be made to ensure academic progress; however, course credit must still be earned according to class requirements.

Responsibilities

Successful homebound instruction depends on the cooperation of a number of individuals. The responsibilities of each of these individuals are summarized below:

• Director of Student Services:

o Approves referrals for homebound instruction.

o Assigns teachers and provides oversight of instruction.

o Works to ensure there is appropriate collaboration between classroom teachers and homebound teachers.

• School Social Worker:

o Conducts home visit.

o Supports school staff members in working with the student and family.

• School Counselor:

o Works with the school homebound coordinator and the family to ensure academic and elective requirements are met.

o Establishes a designated location in the school office where homebound materials can be collected to guarantee instructional time for all students.

• Classroom Teacher:

o Collaborates with the homebound teacher to exchange information, strategies, materials, assignments, assessment tools, etc., needed to provide instruction.

o As the teacher of record determines the quarter, semester, and final grades.

• Homebound Teacher:

o Contacts the family to schedule homebound instruction on regular school days.

o Works with the classroom teacher as described above.

o Encourages active engagement with the homebound student.

o Using materials and assignments provided by the classroom teacher provides instruction to the student with the goal of keeping the student as current as possible with classroom instruction.

o Returns all completed work to the classroom teacher.

• Parents or Guardians:

o Provide the medical documentation needed to support the homebound referral.

o Provide adequate supervision of student during instructional time. If parent/guardians are unavailable a responsible adult older than 21 years of age or older should be available during instructional time.

o Obtain assignments from the classroom teachers until homebound teachers are assigned.

Students are referred to the program by the school principal or school counselor. Hospital staff or other agencies may also make referrals. Please attach a class schedule, noting if the student is currently passing or failing subjects.

In accordance with the State of Education Policy, as set forth in the procedures governing programs and services for children with medical needs, any student qualifying for this program, must have the endorsement of a medical authority (medical doctor) to be absent from the classroom for a minimum of four (4) weeks to be considered for homebound services. The medical statement should provide information concerning the nature and extent of the disability or the identified physical or psychological limitations under which the student can operate successfully and the anticipated length of time he/she expects to be incapacitated. Also, the Authorization for Release of Information Form should be completed by the parents. Services can be initiated as soon as the parent and/or student provide the necessary medical documentation described above.

A committee at the Central Office will assign students to the Homebound Program. Designated personnel at the central office location has the authority to approve or deny students. Denials can be made when doctor’s documentation states that the student will be incapacitated less than (4) weeks or if student does not meet guidelines for the program. Priorities of the Homebound Services are as follows:

(a) accident victims, (b) surgery, (c) other extended illnesses, (d) pregnancy.

A document granting the homebound teacher to work with the incapacitated student will be included in the student’s file. This permission document must be signed before services are rendered. An adult must be present while the homebound teacher provides services to the student. Homebound services will be terminated if an adult is not present during the home visit. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the homebound teacher prior to the scheduled homebound instructional time if the student is going to be away from home. If possible, doctor’s visits should be scheduled at a time other than the established homebound visit, so that instructional time will not be interrupted. Absences must be due to hospitalization or doctors’visits. If the student is not available for instruction for a period of three (3) times, he/she will be dropped from the Homebound Program. Parental involvement is critical for a successful academic outcome in homebound instruction. Additionally, parents are expected to keep the homebound teacher updated concerning the student’s medical condition. It is the responsibility of the parent to see that the student completes assignments and is prepared for each class session. Preparation of assignments encourages students to stay on task; educational needs are maintained as the focus, as in regular education. Once the paperwork is approved by the central office and the parental consent form signed, the student is officially enrolled in the Homebound Program. The homebound teacher will notify the school of the student’s acceptance and the school will recognize that the student is viewed as ‘present’ for attendance and accountability purposes. The homebound teacher is responsible for providing the school with an official enrollment date.

Appropriate school personnel will complete the school request for Homebound Services. In high school and middle school, the school counselor will be the primary contact. In an elementary school setting, the classroom teacher will be the contact person. When a student is accepted as a homebound student, he/she may not attend school for the full instructional school day. However, it is possible for the student attend some instructional tasks. This arrangement should be approved by the school principal, designated school educators, and the Homebound Committee at the Central Office.

When the student has been approved for homebound services, the student is still enrolled in school and will receive homebound instruction; therefore, the standard required appropriate textbooks and materials are expected from that school. If a student is approved during the last three (3) weeks of a reporting period in a semester, it is possible for classroom teachers to send work to the student and report the grades for that grading period. If this occurs, the homebound teacher will start the next semester. The homebound teacher provides instruction after assignments are specified by the regular classroom teacher(s). It is the responsibility of the homebound teacher to work with the student, assign homework, assign grades, and turn in grades to the school. The homebound teacher will determine and give assignments as deemed appropriate ensuring that the served child receives the appropriate class credit. A form will be sent to each classroom teacher with a timeframe of twenty-four (24) hours to complete and return to the school counselor. If the teacher fails to cooperate with the counselor or the homebound teacher, the appropriate school administrators will be consulted.

When the regular education teacher provides information regarding book chapters and instructional assignments, the homebound teacher will then plan and implement the educational process for the student. Assignments from the school should be documented on the Homebound Student Assignment form. For example: High schools will have four (4) forms, one for each teacher to fax in. Grades will be turned in at a central location such as the school counselor’s office or Data Manager office. Students enrolled in classes such as typing, music, computers, physical education, dance, and/or etc. may not be penalized for not having appropriate classroom equipment at home. Instead, students may be instructed to complete research, reports or other assignments. Students eligible for Hospital/Homebound services are usually provided educational instruction three-five (3-5) hours per week depending on the need, and physical condition of the student.

The doctor’s release form, located in the packet of Homebound Program materials, will be the responsibility of the parents. Students are eligible for release by a competent medical authority. Pregnant girls are released from homebound services four (4) weeks after the baby is born or six (6) weeks if a C-Section has been performed. Homebound services for students will be arranged on an individual basis. No doctor’s statement is needed for release of pregnant girls. This is a part of the Homebound Student’s file.

Students will be released from Homebound Services after a parent or guardian has provided a doctor’s release statement. The student is then expected to return to the regular classroom setting. This form will be part of the school’s records showing enrollment date as well as the release date.

Note: No student will be documented in PowerSchool as Homebound unless approved by Central Office.

Homebound Release Form

Completing and signing the authorization to use or disclose information form is not mandatory. If the central office requests additional information, this form can be used by the parents/guardians with the medical agency so that the appropriate personnel can view or discuss medical issues pertaining to the student. Parents should discuss the medical issues with the medical doctor before requesting the doctor to sign the form; the best interests of the child should be the fundamental consideration. If the central office requests a signature for a release of information, then it should be recognized that the purpose is to provide clarification as to why Homebound Services are deemed necessary by a medical doctor. The release of information will allow the central office director, supervisor, or designee to communicate directly with medical personnel for the specific purpose of understanding a student’s medical condition. If a release of information is necessary, the homebound teacher will contact the parent.