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Hospital Education
Our medical team has doctors, nurses and teachers, too.
Yes! The Children’s Medical Center has a group of certified
hospital teachers who provide year-round educational services
for patients ages two to 21. Because we know that school is an
important part of a child’s life, we will help them stay
in touch with what’s happening back home. Our classrooms
are equipped with computers, DVD players, books, games, puzzles
and toys selected with children in mind. Based on information
from the patient, their parents, doctors and school, an educational
program will be designed especially for them — without cost.
The CMC is interested in more than just a patient’s medical
needs. We want to know how our patients are growing and developing.
Hospital teachers help answer these questions. With parents’
permission, our hospital teachers may:
- talk with patients and school personnel back home.
- give informal and formal educational screenings or assessments.
- talk with our hospital team about a patient’s progress
and needs.
While a child is hospitalized our teachers can:
- provide early childhood stimulation activities and experiences,
- provide instruction designed to meet each patient’s
educational needs,
- gather books, assignments and tests from school, and
- develop or modify a child’s Individualized Educational
Program (IEP).
When it is time to go home our hospital teachers will help make
the transition as smooth as possible. If a patient has completed
three or more school sessions, our hospital teachers will:
- give attendance credit if the patient is enrolled in a Virginia
public school.
- send a letter to the child’s home school about his/her
educational program at CMC.
In addition, even if a patient’s stay is short, our hospital
teachers may:
- meet with a patient’s medical team and parents to coordinate
the exchange of medical information with the child’s school.
- visit the school to help with a patient’s return.
- plan for any special needs at a patient’s school, such
as:
- transportation,
- diet,
- classroom modifications/changes,
- physical education adaptations and/or
- homebound instruction.
- make a referral to the appropriate CMC or outpatient educational
consultant if additional follow-up services are needed.
- make a referral to your home school division for consideration
of special education services when indicated.
The Hospital Education Program also provides outpatient services
for patients seen in these clinics:
- Care Connection for Children
- Pediatric Hematology/Sickle Cell
- Pediatric Neurology
- Pediatric Oncology
The Hospital Education Program is sponsored and funded by the
Virginia Department of Education in cooperation with the Richmond
Public Schools.
Hospital Education Program
VCU Children’s Medical Center
P.O. Box 980484
Richmond, VA 23298-0484
(804) 828-0426
Fax (804) 828-5205
Pre-kindergarten – fifth-grade classroom
(804) 828-4446
Sixth-grade – 21 years classroom
(804) 828-3219
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