Hospital Homebound

Levels of Services

Full-Time Homebound/Hospitalized Services

All instructional services are through a Homebound/Hospitalized teacher in conjunction with the student’s teachers. The student is CONFINED to the hospital or home and is unable to attend school.

Intermittent Homebound/Hospitalized Services

When intermittent attendance on a comprehensive campus is medically possible, students diagnosed with an acute or catastrophic illness or injury may be eligible for services. Such services would be contingent upon reoccurrence of the student’s medical condition. When the student is unable to attend school due to the diagnosed medical condition which CONFINES the student to the home or hospital, then the student may be entitled to Homebound/Hospitalized services.

Eligibility Criteria

Students enrolled in Okeechobee County Schools who meet the following criteria may be eligible for instructional services through the Homebound/Hospitalized Program:

  • A Licensed physician must complete the Homebound/Hospitalized Referral Form.

  • The student is expected to be CONFINED to the home at least 15 school days from the date the Homebound/Hospitalized Referral is completed by a licensed physician,
    OR has a chronic illness requiring extended absences throughout the school year.

  • The student is able to participate in and benefit from an educational program in the hospital or home.

  • A medical condition requires confinement of the student to the hospital or home.

  • A medical condition requires restricted activities for an extended period of time to include participation in community or extra-curricular activities.

  • The student is not currently employed.

Referrals

The Homebound/Hospitalized Referral forms are available from the Exceptional Student Education District Office, School Resource Specialist, & School Guidance Counselors.

Submission of a Homebound/Hospitalized Referral does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Eligibility status is determined during an Eligibility Determination meeting.

Parents must participate in the eligibility determination staffing. If the students is found eligible, parental consent must be obtained before Homebound/Hospitalized Services are initiated.

Homebound/Hospitalized teacher may not provide instructional service to the student outside the presence of the parent or guardian.