The term “homeless children and youths”— means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes students who are staying in transitional or emergency shelters, campgrounds, motels, sharing housing with other families due to a loss of housing or an inability to afford housing, abandoned in a hospital, staying in substandard housing, or living in places not ordinarily used for sleeping. This includes students who have run away or students whose parents have put them out of their home. A homeless student may stay in the same school all year, if feasible, even if he/she moves out of our boundaries. Additionally, the student may enroll in the district in which he/she currently resides.
Also, a student may qualify for services as an “unaccompanied youth” if they are temporarily living with someone other than their parent or legal guardian, is moving from place to place, is in a shelter, or otherwise not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian.
Valor Academy is committed to providing a stable educational environment and support to students who qualify under the McKinney-Vento Act.
The following services may be available:
- Receive a free, appropriate public education
- Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment
- Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents
- Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or in the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is preferred
- Receive transportation assistance if/when it is needed and appropriate for special school events and for state testing if necessary.
- Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students.
In general, Valor Arizona will:
- Ensure access to education
- Connect families with services
- Form collaborations and partnerships with community outreach organizations
- Inform and provide learning for all stakeholders
If you are experiencing homelessness, please contact the Homeless Student Liaison. Determinations of qualifying students are made on a case-by-case basis.
