Homebound Services

Homebound instruction is designed to provide continuity of educational services between the classroom and home or health care facility, for students whose medical needs, both physical and psychiatric, do not allow school attendance for a limited period of time. Homebound instruction may be used to supplement the classroom program for students with health impairments whose conditions may interfere with regular school attendance (e.g., students receiving dialysis or radiation/chemotherapy; or students with other serious health conditions).

Eligibility for homebound instructional services should be a collaborative decision between the treating health care provider, parent/guardian, and school personnel. Prior to requesting homebound services, the parent/guardian should explore options for school-based instruction with school personnel. If homebound services are needed, approval of services is based upon a completed medical certification of need.

Requested homebound instruction for students receiving special education services shall be subject to review by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). As part of its review and determination of a change in placement, the IEP team must review the approved medical certification of need for homebound instruction and determine the appropriate placement for the student based on the student’s educational needs. Parental consent must be obtained to amend the IEP, prior to initiation of homebound services.

1. Parent or guardian completes the Referral for Homebound Instruction and Medical Certification of Need Part 1 forms and return forms to school contact.
2. Parent or guardian shares the Medical Certification of Need Part 2 with the student’s physician, licensed psychologist, or nurse practitioner, who returns forms to school contact.
3. Upon receipt of completed forms the school contact will schedule a homebound committee meeting.
   • The meeting should be held within five instructional days upon receipt.
   • If the student has an IEP, the certification should be promptly transmitted to the IEP team for review and determination of a change in placement for the student.
   • If the student is approved for services and there is a processing delay when locating a teacher, the team will determine if compensatory services are warranted.

If the parent or guardian requests an extension, the Request for Extension/Reauthorization Form needs to  be completed by the student’s physician, licensed psychologist, or nurse practitioner. This is the medical professional who completed the initial request.

1. The form should be returned to the school contact before the first homebound session is complete in order to avoid a lapse in service due to missing documentation.
2. Upon receipt of the form, the homebound committee will determine approval of the extension.
3. As noted on the extension form, only one extension is permitted for a time length of four weeks at most.

Students receiving homebound instruction should return to school-based instruction as soon as possible. Homebound services should not be approved for periods in excess of nine calendar weeks. If it is necessary for homebound instruction to continue beyond nine weeks, an extension or reauthorization form, including treatment plan, progress towards treatment goals, and specific plans to transition the student back to the school setting, will be required from the treating healthcare provider to document the need for extended services. The homebound committee will meet to determine approval of the extension.

The homebound teacher will assist the student, family, and school personnel with the student’s transition back to the classroom setting.  Additionally, other support staff, such as the school nurse, school counselor, IEP case manager, or school psychologist, may be more appropriately assigned to the student for transition purposes depending on the nature of the student’s needs. 

If a student has an IEP, the IEP team must amend the IEP upon the ending period of homebound services in order to either return the student to the school setting or to continue the homebound placement.

The following represents the minimum hours of instruction to be provided.  These hours may not be applicable in all instances (i.e., for students with IEPs, the IEP team determines the hours required in accordance with the student’s educational needs).

• Elementary school students – one hour per day
• Middle school students – eight hours per week
• High school students – two hours per core academic subject per week; other accommodations on an individualized basis