SESD's McKinney-Vento | Homeless Education program ensures that homeless children and youth have access to a free, appropriate public education, comparable to that provided to the children of any Arizona resident and consistent with Arizona’s mandatory school attendance laws.

Program Description

The McKinney-Vento Act was established to assist homeless children and youth with enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. Under this legislation, homeless youth are guaranteed the same educational services that all students are provided in order to meet challenging academic standards. The Act also ensures that homeless youth be educated in their neighborhood school or in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing.

Definition of Homelessness

The McKinney-Vento Act defines "homeless children and youth" as children who lack a regular, and adequate nighttime residence.  The term "homeless" includes children and youth who are:

• Sharing a house with another family due to loss of housing, or loss of income (financial hardship);

• Not sleeping at a consistent location;

• Awaiting foster care placement;

• Living in motels, trailer parks/campgrounds, emergency or transitional shelters, cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus/train stations, or similar environments; or

• A youth on your own.

How can we help?

Sacaton Elementary School District employs a Community Resource Liaison to assist families and children who are experiencing homelessness.  We can assist children/youth with:

• Clothing

• Food

• Resources on housing

• Resources on medical/dental services

• School registration

• School transportation (case per case basis)

• Resources on alcohol/drug abuse

• Domestic violence

• Hygienic supplies, and

• Paying school fees

State and Federal Law

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act
NCLB legislation reauthorized by the U.S. Congress in 2001.

Non-Regulatory Guidance for the McKinney-Vento Program
A user-friendly guide to the Federal law, written and distributed by the U.S. Department of Education in July of 2004.

District Contacts

Marie Semodio
Federal Programs Coordinator
520-562-8600 ext. 2039
Email Ms. Marie Semodio

Martha Fernandez
Community Resource Liaison
520-562-8600 ext. 3060
Email Ms. Martha Fernandez