Notice to Parents Regarding Hospital/Homebound (HHB) Services

Valdosta City Schools provides continuous educational services for students who are unable to attend school due to a diagnosed medical or psychiatric condition for a minimum of ten consecutive school days or for intermittent periods of time for a minimum of ten school days per year. These services may be provided in the hospital or at the child’s home or other agreed upon location. 

To initiate Hospital/Homebound (HHB) services, obtain a Hospital/Homebound (HHB) Services Request Form and Licensed Physician/Psychiatrist Statement and Medical Referral Form from your school’s HHB contact. Complete the services request form and have the medical form completed by the licensed physician or licensed psychiatrist who is treating your child for the diagnosed condition. Give both completed forms to your HHB contact. 

A conference to develop an Educational Service Plan (ESP) for your child will be convened within five school days of receipt of the completed application. The purpose of the conference is to address the impact that the physical and/or psychological condition may have on your child’s educational performance. The school team or Individualized Education program (IEP) team will determine the exact amount of instructional time based on the ESP, which takes into consideration the cognitive ability and medical condition of your child. To comply with the Georgia State Board of Education Rule 160-4-2-.31 Hospital/Homebound (HHB) Services, a minimum of three instructional contact hours per week must be provided for your child to be counted present. 

Should you have any questions regarding HHB services, please communicate with the school’s HHB contact. The school nurse should be consulted if and when there are some medical questions that need clarification that may be answered on a limited basis by the school nurse. 

Local education agencies (LEAs) are responsible for providing instructional services for students who are eligible for Hospital/Homebound (HHB) services and hospitalized in health care facilities. The LEA may provide the services directly or can arrange with or contract directly with the health care facility, the LEA in which the health care facility is located, or appropriately certified teachers in the geographic area in which the health care facility is located.