Hospital School Program
At Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, we recognize the importance of providing a sense of normalcy for our patients.
The hospital school program is offered free to patients up to age 18 because we know school is an important part of each child’s day. More than 5,000 children have benefited from the program since it began in 2005.
There is a great need for the program for children who have illnesses or injures that require extended stays in the hospital.
It’s a very stressful time for family and they need to focus on the child getting better and not getting behind on school work.
This program is made possible by annual funding from Suncoast Credit Union, the school districts of Lee and Collier Counties and donations. There is no cost to patients and their families.
The state-certified teacher in the Hospital School Program primarily collaborates with the school districts of Lee and Collier counties.
For information about the Hospital School Program, call 239-343-6380. To find out how you can support the Hospital School Program, call 239-343-6950.
Services
Communication
With parental/guardian permission, the hospital teacher will notify the patient’s school regarding the date of admission and discharge and enrollment in the hospital school program.
The teacher may also request that the student’s assignments be prepared either for a family member to pick up or to be faxed or emailed to the hospital. In addition, the teacher will make referrals for homebound instruction and communicate with homebound teachers to make sure we meet the child’s educational needs during hospitalization.
To help facilitate school re-entry for the child, the teacher will maintain academic involvement with the patient’s school and teachers throughout hospitalization, as needed.
Instruction
The hospital teacher will provide lessons related to the school district’s curriculum. They may work with the patient’s individually at the bedside or in small groups.
Interventions also are provided for patients who are developmentally delayed or at risk for developmental delay.
Transition
The hospital teacher will collaborate with the school district during periods of the child’s hospitalization to meet post-discharge needs, which may include an individualized educational plan, 504 plan, hospital homebound service or any additional accommodations that the student will need in order to make a smooth transition from our hospital to his or her home school upon discharge.
Technology
Our hospital school program provides wireless laptops, computers, books, games and toys that have been selected to meet the interest and learning needs of students.
Contact Us
For information about the Hospital School Program, call 239-343-6380. To find out how you can support the Hospital School Program, call 239-343-6950.