Welcome to Homeless Services

FUSD's McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Program is a federally-funded program for families and children in the Flagstaff Unified School District who are "in transition" in their housing situation. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act protects homeless children and youth by providing additional rights and educational support services beyond that offered in the regular classroom setting.

Those who qualify for these services cover a wide range of living situations, from those who are in temporary housing such as shelters, campgrounds or motels to those who live in long-term, but inadequate or substandard housing situations. This includes multiple families living in crowded single-family dwellings, families who live in substandard housing without access to running water or adequate heating, and children living with non-custodial relatives or friends.

Since FUSD began its program in the fall of 1993, school staff have identified as many as 800 students and preschoolers who qualify for homeless services annually.  For the 2009-10 school year, approximately 460 students were identified.

The FUSD federal grant is one of only a handful currently funded in Arizona and, depending on individual need and home school, provides a variety of services including:

• assistance with immediate school enrollment, free lunch & transportation to school
• school supplies
• clothing & toiletry items
• shower & laundry facilities at the Family Resource Center for eligible FUSD homeless families
• referrals to community agencies that assist with housing, food, health services, immunizations, counseling, etc.
• K-12 tutoring at the Family Resource Center
• parenting classes and resources

ENROLLING HOMELESS STUDENTS

Schools CANNOT refuse to enroll a homeless student for lack of records (e.g., school records, transcript, IEP, MET, birth certificate or immunization records) or proof of a home address.  The McKinney-Vento law requires that homeless students be enrolled immediately.  School personnel are to enroll and have students attend school while records are requested.

Some parents or students may not report their living situation if homeless.  If there is a question about a student's living situation, school personnel are encouraged to contact FUSD's Homeless Education Liaisons at (928) 606-1515 or (928) 606-3692 for assistance.

Children and youth are considered homeless if they:

• live in temporary housing such as shelters, vehicles, campgrounds or motels;

• live in long-term, but inadequate situations such as:

1. multiple families living in crowded single-family dwellings' due to economic hardship

2. families who live in substandard housing without access to running water or adequate heating,