When a student experiences a serious illness, injury, surgery, or other medical condition that requires them to be away from school for an extended period, they may be eligible for Homebound Instruction.
If your child is expected to miss more than 10 consecutive school days due to a documented medical condition, you may apply for Homebound services. Homebound Instruction provides temporary educational support while your child is unable to attend school. A certified Homebound teacher will work with your child's school to provide assignments, deliver instruction, and help your child stay connected to learning until they are medically able to return to the classroom.
Eligibility for Homebound services must be supported by medical documentation completed by an approved healthcare provider in accordance with Tennessee State Board of Education requirements.
To request homebound services, the student’s parent or guardian must complete and submit the following documents:
Medical Homebound Form
This form must be completed and signed by one of the following qualified healthcare providers:
Physician (MD or DO)
Psychologist
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Under Tennessee requirements, the form may not be completed by a nurse practitioner, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant.
Supporting Medical Documentation
The healthcare provider should include relevant medical records that may help the Homebound Committee understand the student’s condition and educational needs. Examples include office notes, hospital records, or discharge summaries.
Permission for Release of Records/Information
This form allows Cannon County Schools to communicate verbally and in writing with the student’s healthcare provider. It must be signed by all parents or guardians who have educational decision-making authority.
Parent Authorization Form
This form confirms that the parent or guardian has reviewed and agrees to the homebound procedures. It also identifies the adults who are authorized to be present during homebound instruction. The form must be signed by all parents or guardians who have educational decision-making authority.
Completed applications must be received by the Cannon County Board of Education by 12:00 p.m. on Monday for the Homebound Committee to review the request during its Tuesday morning meeting that week.
Applications may be:
Delivered in person to the Cannon County Board of Education
Emailed to jenny.mccrery@ccstn.net
Faxed to 629-201-4830
Applications received after the Monday deadline may be reviewed the following week.
The Homebound Committee will review the completed application, supporting documentation, and healthcare provider’s recommendations. Submitting an application does not automatically mean that homebound services will be approved.
The district will notify the parent or guardian after the committee reaches a decision. If services are approved, the district will provide information about the student’s instructional schedule, responsibilities, and anticipated return-to-school date.
While the application is being reviewed, the parent or guardian is responsible for obtaining assignments and materials from the student’s school so the student can remain current with schoolwork.
Homebound instruction is temporary and is not intended to replace regular school attendance for longer than medically necessary. Updated medical documentation is required when services extend beyond 30 days. A new application must be submitted if homebound services are needed at the beginning of a new school year.
For questions about the application process, contact the Supervisor of Exceptional Learning at jenny.mccrery@ccstn.net or 629-201-4806.