McKinney-Vento Program
The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth.
The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” The act provides examples of children who would fall under this definition:
Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters
Children and youth abandoned in hospitals
Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc)
Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations
McKinney-Vento students have the right to:
Attend school in the attendance area where they are currently living.
Attend the school of origin (the school they attended when they became homeless), or the school in which they were last enrolled.
Immediate enrollment and support from district McKinney-Vento Liaison in obtaining school records and coordinating services.
Receive transportation to their school, if necessary.
Free school meals.
Receive tutoring services focusing on academic assistance.
Receive Preschool services.
Support with on-time grade progression and graduation.
For assistance with any student that may be eligible, please contact your school liaison by calling the school or the district liaison.
Contact: Evelyn See, McKinney-Vento Liaison
(520) 822-9418 / esee@avsd.org
C H I L D F I N D
Children who are between birth and twenty-one years of age and have a developmental delay, or are suspected of having a disabling or emotionally handicapping condition, may be eligible for special services. To determine if a developmental delay exists, professional evaluations and/or assessments may be conducted in the areas of:
Physical Development
Language and Speech Skills
Social and Emotional Skills
Cognitive or Mental Development
Self-Help Skills (e.g., dressing, feeding, etc.)
Altar Valley School District’s CHILD FIND can help with a free screening and referral for diagnostic and/or early intervention programs.
For newborns through two year olds, parents may contact:
Department of Economic Security
Division of Developmental
Disabilities Child Family Services
4710 E. 29th St.
For three through twenty-one year olds, contact:
Altar Valley School District
Special Services Director
(520) 822-9201
