Homebound Programming

• Determining eligibility for academic support through homebound education programming is a collaborative process involving the student, parent, school nurse consultant, instructional staff, school counselor (mental health provider, if applicable) from the student’s neighborhood school, and the homebound coordinator. When an application is received from a student who is served pursuant to an IEP or a Section 504 plan, a meeting of persons knowledgeable about the student's needs will be convened to make a team determination about the application.
• Completion of the application is NOT a guarantee of enrollment

 (Note: These criteria are not exclusive.)

Students may be eligible for homebound programming if they are expected to be absent from school for more than 20 consecutive school days due to a medical or mental health condition. Eligibility may include, but is not limited to:

• Proactive Extended Absences
  • Students who are aware in advance that they will be absent for more than 20 consecutive school days due to a health-related condition.
     
• Sudden or Prolonged Illness or Injury
  • Students who experience an unexpected illness or injury resulting in an absence of more than 20 consecutive school days.
     
• Medical Procedures and Recovery
  • Students undergoing a medical procedure that requires a recovery period exceeding 20 consecutive school days.
     
• Chronic Health Conditions
  • Students with a diagnosed chronic health condition that worsens or flares up, resulting in a continuous absence of more than 20 school days, with the intent to return to their regular school setting when possible.
     
• Mental Health Conditions
  • ​​​​​​​Students unable to attend school for more than 20 consecutive school days due to mental health needs. These students must be actively participating in an in-person mental health program, such as:
    • Residential treatment
    • Inpatient services
    • Partial hospitalization
    • Intensive outpatient treatment​​​​​​​
  • Note: Mental health-related applications must be signed by the student’s mental health program. 

• Students who have multiple unexcused absences or are in the truancy process 
• Expelled students
• Short-Term Absences (Less Than 20 Consecutive School Days)
  • If a student is expected to be absent for less than 20 consecutive school days, building staff are responsible for working directly with the student and family to address makeup work, accommodations, and support.
    • In these cases, schools should actively manage a plan for both attendance tracking and educational programming to ensure continuity of learning and student engagement.
    • It is important that students in this category do not accumulate unaddressed absences that could lead to chronic absenteeism without appropriate intervention or planning.
• Students whose parents will not allow applicable staff to speak with health care providers to collaborate on a plan for Homebound programming with the goal of returning to school
• Students who experience school avoidance that has not been addressed by an individualized plan to increase attendance over time (See Medical Engagement Planning Form)

• Staff members who identify potentially eligible students will contact the school nurse consultant for that building. The school nurse consultant will work with building administration, the student and family to review needs and evaluate eligibility for Homebound programming.
• The school team will work with parents to collect necessary medical documentation.  Documentation must include a signed application from the child’s physician that specifies the reason for Homebound programming and the potential duration, as well as a HIPAA release for communication with staff.
• Homebound applications related to mental health conditions must be signed by the licensed mental health provider who is evaluating and providing services for the mental health condition
• Homebound Coordinator (Alissa O’Brien) will be notified. The school nurse consultant will collaborate with all involved stakeholders. Parents and staff will complete a Homebound Application and allow the school nurse consultant or applicable staff (mental health provider/counselor) to speak with the student’s health care provider(s). Completion of an application does not guarantee eligibility for Homebound programming.
• The student’s neighborhood school will retain a primary line of enrollment and Homebound Programming will add a secondary line of enrollment.  
• The Homebound Coordinator will work with the student’s counselor and teachers to modify and personalize the curriculum in order for the student to continue working toward course completion.
• The length of time a student will be enrolled in Homebound Programming will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Ideally, a high school student will return to their home school at the end of a grading period to ensure credit acquisition.
• The neighborhood school will be required to provide the necessary technology and can collaborate with Homebound Programming to meet those needs.
• In order to meet the student’s specific IEP/504 needs, the homebound coordinator will collaborate with necessary individuals and develop a plan to include addressing services, accommodations, modifications, and goals while the student is temporarily out of school. This will be documented through a PWN (Prior Written Notice) and documented in the IEP.

• Students receiving homebound programming will be evaluated by the school nurse consultant, health care provider, school staff, homebound staff, and parents at a minimum every 30 days. They may continue services for a total of 90 days. If a student requires homebound programming beyond 90 calendar days, the team will reconvene and determine appropriate educational options.