Hospital Homebound Instructional Services

The Georgia Board of Education recognizes its responsibility, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to provide a public education program for students who have a medically-diagnosed physical condition that restricts them to a hospital or home for a period of time that will significantly interfere with their education.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY

Eligibility

A student is eligible for homebound instruction if the anticipated absence from school, due to injuries, illnesses, or emotional issues, is a minimum of ten consecutive days. Hospital Homebound (HHB) services are designed to sustain instructional continuity for students who will be medically or psychiatrically absent from school. HHB services are intended to be temporary and are not meant to supplant regular school services. This program is neither designed for remediation or tutoring nor intended to simply provide students with extended time to complete previously missed assignments.

A referral application must be completed and submitted to the school and or school counselor prior to the commencement of homebound instruction. Referral forms are accessible through your child's school office. A certified teacher will provide instruction for a minimum of three hours per week.

Students are ineligible for hospital/homebound instructional services if the absence results from a communicable disease, a pregnancy that does not necessitate abnormal restriction of activities as prescribed by a licensed physician, if the illness does not confine the student to a facility, or if such services are not explicitly stipulated within the individualized education program (IEP) for a special education student.

Requirements

Instructional services may be delivered in a home or hospital setting. An adult must remain present throughout the entire instructional session. If a student is ambulatory, homebound instruction will be provided at the LaFayette Educational Center.

For the purpose of attendance reporting, the student will be considered present if instructional services are provided for three hours per week.

Please read the following information carefully:

Your cooperation is appreciated.

• HHB services are approved exclusively for the current semester and do not extend into the subsequent school year. Should a student require two semesters, the attending physician must complete a request for an extension, providing the rationale and corresponding dates, which may not exceed the current school year.
• All assessments will be administered in person.
• Please ensure the student is adequately prepared for instruction.
• The student retains the responsibility for the completion of all assignments.
• The homebound instructor must be notified in advance if the student is unable to receive instruction at the scheduled time, and an arrangement for a make-up session should be pursued if feasible.
• Arrangements must be made for the physician to re-evaluate the student if instruction is required beyond the expiration date, with re-evaluations occurring at intervals of a minimum of every four weeks.
• A separate set of guidelines, in addition to these, is required for psychiatric/emotional cases.
• Students receiving homebound services are prohibited from outside employment or participation in any extracurricular activities.