Dear Colleagues,

OCA has received several calls in the past several months regarding a child with a disability who is being educated on “homebound status.” Homebound status, a placement decision made by the school and (for a child with a disability) a special education Planning and Placement Team, should be distinguished from a child who is “home schooled,” whereby a parent/s dis-enrolls a child from public school for the purpose of educating them at home pursuant to state law and regulations.

Homebound status, on the other hand, is considered the most restrictive setting for educating a child otherwise entitled to a free, appropriate and public education. According to state law, “homebound or hospitalized instruction” shall be provided only if 1) a physician has certified in writing that the child is unable to attend school for medical reasons and has stated the expected date the child will be able to return to the school; 2) The child has a handicap so severe that it prevents the child from learning in a school setting, or the child’s presence in school endangers the health, safety or welfare of the child or others; or 3) A special education program recommendation is pending and the child was at home at the time of referral.

Homebound or hospitalized instruction shall be provided when a child’s condition will cause an absence of at least three weeks’ duration. Provided nothing in the child’s condition precludes it, such instruction shall begin no later than two weeks from the first day of absence and services must be provided for at least one hour per day or five hours per week for children in grades kindergarten through six and at least two hours per day or ten hours per week for children in grades seven through twelve. Where evaluative data indicates that these time requirements are too great for the child, the planning and placement team may decrease instruction time. Instruction shall be provided in the setting of the child’s home or the hospital to which the child is confined.

It is not appropriate for a child with a disability to be placed on homebound status because the child has complex needs, has a diagnosis of Autism and behavioral health needs, or because the district does not have resources to instruct the child in the school setting. If a child is struggling and school and refusing to go, the educational team should work closely with the family to understand the reasons for school refusal and provide services and interventions that will address the underlying issues (fear, bullying, learning disabilities, etc.) If you are concerned about a child who has been placed on homebound status or for whom homebound is being suggested, please consider the following resources:

1. Connecticut regulations on homebound or hospitalized instruction: http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/pdf/legal/title_10.pdf
2. Contact the State Department of Education, Special Education Division at: (860) 713-6910
3. Contact the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center at: (800) 445-2722 or www.cpacinc.org , or [log in to unmask]
4. Contact the Office of the Child Advocate at: (860) 566-2106 or (800) 994-0939.


Sincerely,
Sarah H. Eagan, J.D.
Child Advocate
State of Connecticut