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

CHILD FIND

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