HOSPITAL OR HOMEBOUND SERVICES

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DEFINITION    ADMISSION    ELIGIBILITY    INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMING

Facilities    Termination    Personnel    Time Allotted    Contact Information

Definition

Hospital/Homebound is an exceptionality for a student enrolled in regular education who, as  a result of physical illness, accident, emotional crisis or the treatment thereof, is not able to be moved from the hospital or home environment for the provision of regular education services for at least 15 operational days.

Homebound or hospital instruction  (settings) are alternative education settings for the provision of special education according to an IEP by a certified teacher in the student’s home environment or in a hospital in which both of the following conditions exist:  

1.  The student must be enrolled in special education, and 

2.  The student is not able to be moved from the hospital or home environment as a result of physical illness, accident or emotional crisis or the treatment thereof, or as a result of disciplinary action taken consistent with IDEA.

Admission

1.     The student requesting homebound instruction must live within the boundaries of Washington Parish.

2.     The student must be registered and carried on the attendance roll of a local public school in Washington Parish.

3.     The application requesting homebound services must be properly completed and submitted to the Special Education Department of the Washington Parish School Board for approval.  Upon approval of request, a hospital/homebound teacher is assigned.  The teacher notifies the school principal and the student’s parents/guardians of the initiation of the H/HB services.  Prior to the initiation of services, and IEP/Placement meeting must be conducted.

Eligibility

1.     A regular education student becomes eligible for homebound instruction when it has been determined by a physician, psychiatrist, or licensed psychologist, that because of illness, the student will be unable to attend school on the regular campus for a minimum of three weeks.

2.     2.    A. The exceptional student possesses a physical impairment or illness which directly (or because of treatment required) precludes the student’s movement from a hospital or home environment to the general educational environment.

      B. Consistent with the requirements of these Regulations, the student has been determined to be emotionally/behavior disordered by the appropriate licensed/certified personnel.

      C.  A student who is awaiting approval for placement in a residential facility and for  whom a school based interim program has been unsuccessfully implemented because of the severity of the disability or threat of danger to self or others.

      D.  An exceptional student is detained by court order in a juvenile detention facility.

      E.  An exceptional student is undergoing disciplinary action.  Time limits are subject to provisions of IDEA.

3.     3.  Students who are pregnant are eligible to receive homebound services PRIOR to delivery ONLY WHEN a physician certifies 1) the specific diagnosis of any complications and 2) the reason why attendance at the school campus could be detrimental student’s health.

*A POST PARTUM recuperation period of six weeks is acceptable, unless the physician states specific reason(s) why the recover period should be longer.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMMING

The homebound teacher will be responsible for coordinating instruction with that of the student’s regular and/or special education classroom teachers.

The student is responsible for completing any regular classroom assignments that he/she may miss prior to hospital/homebound approval.   When there is an illness or an accident, the family is responsible for notifying the school principal or counselor.

FACILITIES

For hospital/homebound students it is necessary that:

An adult family member or representative be on the premises and available during the entire duration of the homebound visit.

The space provided should be adequate accommodate the pupil and the teacher and surroundings should be conducive to learning and as free from distraction as possible.

Regular study periods be established for the student as established by the teacher.

Termination

Pupils shall be withdrawn and/or services will be discontinued when:

1.        Recommended by a medical doctor based on the physical condition of the child

2.        The pupil is able to resume a school campus program.

3.        The period of time covered by the referral form has ended.

4.        The student fails to comply with regulations set forth by the state and local boards of education.

Personnel

Homebound teachers are certified as stated in the Louisiana Teachers Certification Bulletin 746 (revised).

Time Allotted

The amount of time allotted for each hospital/homebound student is generally three (3) hours per week, usually two meetings approximately 1 ½ hours per week.  The final decision of the amount of time and frequency rests with the IEP committee. 

The time it takes  to gather materials as well is travel time is counted in the three hour allotment.  Therefore it is imperative that students and parents understand the amount of independent work required of the student.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Ricky Payne

Homebound Director

Phone: (985) 839-6011

Fax:   (985) 839-4794

Email: rpayne.sped@wpsb.org

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