Referral Procedures

Cooperation among home school personnel, parents, and physicians helps ensure the effectiveness of the Home and Hospital/e-Learning Center program. School nurses, counselors, pupil personnel workers, psychologists, administrators, and teachers often aid in the referral process for these students.

Home School Responsibilities

Guidance Office:

• Complete the School Referral for Physical, Emotional, or Pregnancy.  The form may be faxed to the Home and Hospital/e-Learning Center. (Fax number: 410-887-4137)
• Give the parents a copy of the Application for Instructional Program for Homebound or Hospitalized Students. The appropriate licensed professional must complete this form indicating that the student expects to be absent for four consecutive weeks or more. The form should be immediately mailed or faxed to the Home and Hospital/e-Learning Center.
• Send a copy of the IEP to the Home and Hospital/e-Learning Center if the student has one or if an IEP is developed later. In addition, IEP team and SST notes must accompany the school referral.  
• Complete the Instructional Material Request form which identifies the material to be covered during the course of the student's projected absence.  Please note that the Home and Hospital/e-Learning Center program only offers a standard level of instruction in the core four subject areas.  Specialty high school courses (e.g. AP, GT, Latin, psychology, etc.) are not offered.  The comprehensive school administrator should work with the comprehensive school teacher and the parents to develop a feasible plan to support the goals & objectives being covered during the student's Home & Hospital program enrollment.
• Issue Baltimore County report cards incorporating Home and Hospital program grades and attendance reports.

Parents:

• As soon as you learn that your child will be absent from school for at least four consecutive weeks, contact your child's guidance counselor. The counselor will complete the school referral.   
• Obtain a copy of the Application for Instructional Program for Homebound or Hospitalized Students from your child's guidance counselor. Have your physician complete the form, sign it, and mail or fax it to the Home and Hospital/e-Learning Center. As soon as the Home and Hospital Center receives both referral forms, and any other required paperwork completed by school personnel, your child will be promptly contacted by the Home and Hospital/e-Learning Center.

Termination of Home and Hospital Services

• Notification: Parents should notify the local school and the Home and Hospital/e-Learning Center approximately one week prior to the student's return to school. A member of the Alternative Education Instructional Materials Distribution Team, the online teacher, or tutor will collect all materials provided by the Home and Hospital/e-Learning Center.
• Medical Release: Most schools require a signed medical release from the physician before the student is readmitted to class.  Check with your student's school to see what paperwork is required for your child to return to the school setting.  An in-take meeting may also be required prior to your child's return. 

**Please be sure that you are completing the most current Home and Hospital program forms; they can be found on the BCPS intranet.