Return to School Program
There are many ways to partner with CHOC to enhance the health and well-being of children in our community.
Returning to school after an illness, injury, hospitalization, surgery, or mental health challenge can feel overwhelming for both students and families. At Rady Children’s Health in Orange County, our Return-to-School (RTS) Program partners with families, schools, and care teams to help make the transition back to school as smooth and successful as possible.
The Return-to-School Program includes two specialized teams:
- Medical RTS supports students returning to school after an illness, injury, surgery, hospital stay, or other medical condition.
- Mental Health RTS supports students returning after a mental health hospitalization or other urgent mental health care.
If your child has both medical and mental health needs, you may contact either team. Our staff work closely together to ensure your child receives the support they need.
With parent or guardian permission, the Return-to-School Program collaborates with families, Rady Children’s Health care teams, school nurses, and other school personnel to understand each student’s needs and develop a plan for a safe and successful return.
One program. Two teams. One shared goal.
- A student is returning to school after a hospital stay or major health event
- A student has new or changing health needs at school
- A family needs help with school forms or talking with the school
- Health needs are making it hard for a student to attend or take part in school
- A student is returning to school after a mental health hospital stay or crisis
- A student is having trouble going to school
- A family needs help talking with the school or making a plan
- A student needs a plan for returning to school
When possible, we start helping before a student leaves the hospital. We can continue to help as the student returns to school. Talk with your RCH care team or contact:
- Medical RTS: [email protected]
- Mental Health RTS: [email protected]
If your child has both medical and mental health needs, you can contact either team. We will work together to help.
Return-to-School Resources
Family Resources
Going back to school after a health challenge can bring up a lot of questions. These resources can help you learn about RTS and how we work with families and schools.
- Family RTS FAQs : Find answers to common questions about RTS, who we help, and what to expect.
- ROI & EHR Access FAQs: Learn about forms that may allow RCH to talk with your child’s school or allow a school nurse to see certain health information.
- Program Postcard: A quick introduction to RTS and how to get help.
- Program Brochure: Learn about RTS and the types of help we offer.
- Program Family FAQs : Answers to common family questions about RTS.
Still have questions? Contact the RTS team. We’ll help you find the right next step.
School Resources
These resources can help school nurses, teachers, and other school staff support students as they return.
- School RTS FAQs: Find answers to common questions about RTS and how we work with schools.
- RTS and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS): Learn how RTS can work with your school’s support system to understand a student’s needs and connect them with the right help.
- ROI & EHR Access FAQs: Learn about the forms families may sign so RCH and school staff can talk and share approved information. This page also explains health record access for school nurses who qualify.
Resources to share with families
- RTS Postcard: A quick introduction to RTS and how to get help.
- RTS Brochure: Learn about RTS and the types of help we offer.
- RTS Family FAQs : Answers to common family questions about RTS.