Medically Involved
Medically Involved Program
Education, Care, Access & Opportunity
John F. Kennedy School's Medically Involved Program provides a specialized educational environment designed to support students with significant educational, physical, and health-related needs while promoting participation, independence, and quality of life.
What Does "Medically Involved" Mean?
The Medically Involved Program is a specialized educational program serving students who have cognitive disabilities together with significant medical or health-related needs.
Some students may require specialized health care procedures, adaptive equipment, mobility assistance, positioning support, therapy, nursing services, or other individualized supports during the school day.
Our Focus
A student's medical needs should not prevent meaningful access to education. The Medically Involved Program is designed to address the educational, physical, medical, communication, social, and functional needs of each learner within an appropriate and supportive educational environment.
Supporting the Whole Student
Every student is more than a diagnosis or medical condition. Instruction and support are individualized around each student's strengths, needs, abilities, communication methods, and Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Education
Students receive individualized instruction designed to provide meaningful access to the Newark Public Schools curriculum and their IEP goals.
Health & Safety
Individual medical and health needs are considered throughout the school day so students can participate as safely and successfully as possible.
Access & Mobility
The learning environment considers accessibility, positioning, mobility, adaptive equipment, and each student's ability to participate throughout the school.
Communication
Students are supported in developing functional ways to communicate their needs, choices, preferences, thoughts, and feelings.
Social Participation
Students are provided opportunities to interact with peers and adults and participate meaningfully in the life of the school community.
Independence
Whenever possible, students are encouraged to increase independence, make choices, participate in daily routines, and develop functional life skills.
Program Consideration & Placement
Placement in the Medically Involved Program is based on an individualized evaluation of the student's educational, functional, therapeutic, and health-related needs.
Program Consideration
Students who meet the criteria for Multiple Disabilities and who also have significant medical or health-related needs may be considered for the Medically Involved Program.
The student's Child Study Team begins the process when the team believes this specialized program may appropriately meet the student's needs.
Individual Evaluation
A multidisciplinary team reviews the student's needs to determine whether the program can appropriately provide the educational, therapeutic, accessibility, and health supports required by the student.
Placement
When a student is determined eligible and the program is appropriate, the case manager works through the Office of Special Education to request placement.
A Multidisciplinary Team
Students in the Medically Involved Program may require professionals from several disciplines to work together. The specific team is determined by each student's individual needs.
Collaboration between education, health services, related services, the Child Study Team, and families helps create a coordinated approach to student learning and care.
Educational & Related Services
Students may receive related services according to the needs and services identified in their Individualized Education Program. These services are integrated with the student's educational program whenever appropriate.
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy may support functional mobility, positioning, balance, strength, movement, transfers, and safe participation in the school environment.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy may support fine motor skills, positioning, adaptive access, self-care, sensory needs, and participation in daily educational activities.
Speech & Language
Speech and language services may support functional communication, language development, social communication, and alternative or augmentative communication when appropriate.
MOVE - Mobility Opportunities Via Education
Students may participate in MOVE - Mobility Opportunities Via Education, an activity-based approach designed to help educators, families, and therapists work collaboratively toward functional mobility goals.
Rather than separating movement from the student's daily life, the approach provides opportunities to practice functional movement while participating in meaningful school and daily living activities.
🏥 Individualized Health & Nursing Support
For students requiring health-related support during the school day, the school nursing team plays an important role in coordinating appropriate care and emergency planning.
When appropriate, an individualized Nursing Care Plan and Emergency Health Care Plan may be developed to address the student's specific health and safety needs.
These plans help appropriate school personnel understand the student's needs, required procedures, emergency considerations, and necessary supports during the school day.
An Accessible & Supportive Environment
The physical environment is an important part of educating students with significant medical and mobility needs. Classroom and school spaces must support safe access, specialized equipment, instruction, therapy, and emergency planning.
♿ Accessibility
School facilities must support access for students with mobility needs and comply with applicable accessibility requirements.
🌡️ Appropriate Environment
Environmental conditions, including temperature, are considered when students have medical conditions or equipment requiring additional environmental support.
🦽 Specialized Equipment
Classrooms require appropriate space to safely accommodate wheelchairs, positioning systems, therapeutic equipment, adaptive devices, and other equipment required by students.
🚨 Emergency Planning
Individual student needs are considered when developing emergency procedures, evacuation plans, and other school safety protocols.
The IEP Guides the Student's Program
There is no single educational plan for every student in the Medically Involved Program.
Each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) identifies appropriate educational goals, related services, accommodations, modifications, supports, and transition needs.
The student's abilities, communication needs, health considerations, functional needs, and opportunities for greater independence remain at the center of educational planning.
Every Student Deserves Access, Opportunity & Purpose
The Medically Involved Program at John F. Kennedy School brings education, health support, therapy, accessibility, and functional learning together around the individual student.
Our goal is to help each learner participate as fully as possible, build meaningful skills, experience success, and achieve the greatest possible level of independence.
Caring. Committed. Courageous.