Northside Habilitation Program

The Northside Habilitation Program is a unique public school for students who are medically fragile. NHP provides a medically supportive school environment which enables students to participate in learning opportunities outside the home or hospital. Long term educational, short term diagnostic and transitional placements are offered. Specialized design features include radiant floor heating, adapted aquatics area, and natural classroom lighting. The Reddix Center is located within the South Texas Medical Center and serves eligible students who live in Bexar County.

Who is eligible to attend NHP?

Students eligible to attend NHP must be between the ages of 3 and 21, in need of special nursing procedures, medical monitoring, daily physical assessment to participate in and benefit from an educational setting. Nursing procedures include, but are not limited to, tracheal/oral suctioning, respiratory treatments, ventilator and respiratory support, gastrostomy feeding, catheterizations, and administration of medications. Students eligible for long term enrollment must also be non-ambulatory and have profound developmental deficits. Students having multiple medical needs may be eligible for short term diagnostic placement to assess their needs and to determine appropriate educational placement. Medically involved students who have been home or hospital bound may also be eligible for short term enrollment at NHP. In order to insure a smooth transition into the school environment, NHP staff support and assist the receiving campuses in their efforts to plan for these students.

Click here for more information on NHP Eligibility and Placement.

Describe the NHP educational program.
NHP offers a full-day, campus-based educational program. Students' individual educational objectives are addressed through functional, age-appropriate classroom and community activities. Inclusion activities are regularly scheduled with public schools and facilities in the community.
A highly trained and experienced educational staff integrates recommended physical, occupational, and speech therapy activities into daily classroom routines. Students' medical needs are met throughout the day by registered nurses and other support personnel. Nursing procedures are routinely conducted within the context of classroom activities. Students are assisted, encouraged and expected to participate in learning experiences to whatever degree they are able.
What medical support does NHP offer?
Registered and licensed nurses work closely with patients, physicians, community health agencies, and teaching staff to provide necessary medical monitoring and care for students. They are supported by the Northside Director of Health Services, the Northside Medical Consultant, a special education case worker, and a parent consultant. In addition, physicians from UTHSC in the areas of physical medicine, rehabilitation and pulmonology consult with NHP staff. The nurses provide treatments, procedures, medication, prescribed feedings and nutritional supplements. Nurses also provide emergency medical care and contact EMS when necessary. The educational staff is CPR certified and trained to assist the nurses in routine procedures and crisis intervention. A physician directed clinic scheduled as necessary, supports staff and families with medical recommendations related to classroom management of the students.
How do students get to and from NHP?
	Specially equipped Invalift buses transport Northside students to and from NHP. Individual student needs are addressed on a case-by-case basis for those living outside Northside ISD attendance boundaries. Transportation os students out of Northside is the responsibility of the sending district.

What is the school schedule?

NHP is a full-day, five-day week educational program. Schedule adjustments are made for students who are physically unable to participate full-time. NHP students follow the nine-month Northside ISD traditional calendar. Extended Year Services may be recommended for some NHP students.

What is the referral process?

Northside residents may contact their child's home attendance school for referral information. Residents outside of Northside may seek referral by contacting the Director of Special Education in their local school district. Districts interested in referring students to NHP may contact either the Northside Director of Special Education or the Reddix Center principal.

When a referral is made, NHP staff representatives usually visit the prospective student at home, school, or hospital and review medical and educational records to determine eligibility. The family is invited to visit NHP. Once eligibility is established, an admission meeting is scheduled.

When do students leave NHP?

Students referred to NHP for short-term diagnostic placements may be recommended for others programs in less restrictive environments once their needs are assessed. Other students are transitioned from NHP to alternative programs when they become medically stable and no longer require specialized nursing procedures or medical monitoring.

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