PLEASE NOTE: If your living arrangement is both temporary and the result of economic hardship, you may qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Act. The purpose of this law is to provide academic stability for students whose families are in transition.
Please contact the Sunnyside McKinney Vento office at (520) 545-2158 or (520) 545-3460 if your family’s living arrangement is temporary and fits into one of the following categories:
A student may also qualify as an “unaccompanied youth” if he or she is living with someone who is not a parent or guardian, or if he or she is moving from place to place without a parent or guardian.
Children who qualify under McKinney-Vento have the right to:
If you have questions, please contact Araceli Mendoza at (520) 545-2158 or email at aracelim@susd12.org
The McKinney-Vento (MV) Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that provides support and resources for children whose families are experiencing homelessness to help ensure that they have an equal opportunity to succeed in school. Children who qualify for McKinney-Vento services are guaranteed certain rights:
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was originally signed into law in 1987. It has been amended to address the growing and changing needs of this vulnerable population.
McKinney-Vento applies to all public and charter schools; it does not apply to private schools.
Every school district must designate a Homeless Liaison. The Liaison can help ensure that students who are homeless are able to enroll so that they may succeed in school. Homeless Liaisons can also help connect the family with resources if necessary. Most importantly, it is the Homeless Liaison who ultimately determines if a student is eligible for McKinney Vento services. SUSD Program eligibility can be determined by contacting the SUSD Title I Department at (520) 545-2158 or (520) 545-3460. For a complete list of Homeless Liaisons by district go to: https://www.azed.gov/schooleffectiveness/specialpops/homeless/
The law states that any child or youth who lacks “a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence” may qualify for McKinney Vento services.
This may include students who are:
No. McKinney-Vento Program eligibility expires at the end of the qualifying school year. Everyone must re-apply after July 1st to determine eligibility for the upcoming school year.
No. Public schools must serve all migrant and immigrant children and youth. This is true even if the family or student is undocumented. Migrant and immigrant children who fit into one of the homeless categories are covered under McKinney-Vento.
‘School of origin’ includes either:
No. Students who qualify as McKinney-Vento eligible only have 2 options for school selection:
Any student may request to enroll in any school of their choice under ‘open enrollment’, however enrollment is not guaranteed and the student/family must provide their own transportation. McKinney-Vento does not provide transportation for open enrollment.
School districts must provide transportation for students who wish to remain in their schools of origin, even if they move out of district, as long as it is feasible and in the child’s best interest. The homeless liaison can help set this up. School districts often use district school buses, vans, or monthly bus passes. McKinney-Vento transportation for SUSD is coordinated through the SUSD Title I Department, (520) 545-2158.
In the event of a disagreement, the district has a Dispute Resolution Process in place. The student may enroll in school until the dispute is resolved. The Homeless Liaison can guide you through the Dispute Resolution Process.