MCG Children's Medical Center
School Services Program

The School Services Program at MCG Children's Medical Center helps children stay up-to-date with their schoolwork by receiving instruction while hospitalized. This free service is offered to patients ages five to 18 who are enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade at any public or private school.

Helping hospitalized children keep up with their schoolwork means return to school is less difficult for both student and teacher. Our certified teachers work closely with each child's classroom teacher to obtain current lessons and assignments so meaningful and appropriate material is taught. This helps the student and teacher have less make up work when the child leaves the hospital.

Initiating Services
If it is anticipated that a patient will be hospitalized for three days or more, the School Services Program is introduced to the family. Special arrangements may be made for patients staying less than three days based on individual needs. The family is asked to provide written permission for the child to participate. This allows our teachers to communicate with the child's school to obtain assignments and develop educational plans. Based on each individual school district's policy, a student receives attendance credit for each hour of hospital instruction. For most districts, one hour of hospital instruction is equal to one day of attendance in school.

It's the Law
According to federal laws and No Child Left Behind (NCLB), attendance is an important part of the school districts' responsibility to a student's academic success.  MCG Children's Medical Center School Services Program allows students to receive attendance credit and to participate in statewide standardized testing if they are physically and emotionally able to do so. A student with a chronic or unexpected illness is still a vital part of the school's overall accountability. The School Services Program helps schools avoid the penalties of low attendance while continuing to help students succeed academically.

Hospital/Homebound Services
If a child cannot return to school after leaving the hospital, our teachers can help arrange for hospital/ homebound instruction at the child's home. This is a service that school districts provide for chronic illnesses or injury that requires 10 consecutive days absence or a combination of 10 days due to illness.  Instruction can begin after discharge from the hospital. Our schoolteachers can assist in filing the necessary paperwork, and can obtain needed statements and signatures from the child's physicians.

Helping Our Kids
MCG Children's Medical Center School Services Program helps our young patients by:

• Ensuring the child misses as little schoolwork as possible while hospitalized
• Providing a positive activity while the child is in the hospital
• Developing an academic plan for all eligible patients which includes limitations due to the individual's medical condition
• Providing educational activities for all eligible patients, in the classroom or at bedside
• Setting up hospital/homebound services for patients who cannot return to school when released from the hospital
• Making the return to school as easy as possible for the patient and family

About the Program

• MCG Children's Medical Center's classroom is equipped with the latest technology, textbooks, computers and other educational activities.
• Parents are encouraged to bring books and schoolwork from their child's school. Assignments can be faxed or e-mailed to the hospital's classroom from the school. Should schoolwork not be available, appropriate grade level work will be provided. 
• Our teachers maintain records of attendance and progress. This information is sent to the child's school when released from the hospital. 
• Our teachers can assist with back-to-school re-entries as needed. In special cases, our teachers may visit a child's school to provide information to the school personnel, teachers or other students on the returning child's diagnosis, condition and limitations. Our teachers are also available to participate in development of IEP's or 504 Plans.   

Contact Us
MCG Children's Medical Center school teachers look forward to working with each individual child while a patient here. Our teachers are available Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Contact the School Services Program by e-mail at cmcschoolservices@mcg.edu or by phone at 706-721-8313.

Volunteer Tutors
To enhance our School Services Program, we welcome volunteer tutors.  To be a Children's Medical Center volunteer school tutor, contact Volunteer Services at 706-721-3596.