The McKinney Act of 1987, or P.L. 100-77, ensures that each child of a homeless individual, and each homeless youth shall have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youth. Under the Act, schools are prohibited from delaying a homeless child’s entry into school due to delays in obtaining school records. Rules regarding guardianship must be waived for homeless students living with foster parents or relatives other than their legal guardians.

 

Arizona Revised Statutes, A.R.S. §15-825(C) states:

 

“The current residence of a homeless pupil who does not reside with the person having legal custody of the pupil, is considered to be the residence of the homeless pupil if the person having legal custody of the pupil is a resident of the United States. For the purposes of this subsection, “homeless pupil” means a pupil who has a primary residence that is:

 

■ A supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations.

■ An institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized.

■ A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.”

 

Under this policy, Ha:ṣañ Preparatory & Leadership School will admit students who meet the definition of “homeless” by:

■ Not requiring Birth Certificate, and

■ Not requiring proof of immunization until the fifth calendar day of enrollment as defined in A.R.S. §15-872(H).

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Homeless children are protected under several laws at the Federal Level and State Level:

■ McKinney Homeless Assistance Act A.R.S. §15-823

■ Title I A.R.S. §15-824

■ IDEA A.R.S. §15-828

■ A.R.S. §15-872

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For more information or questions about the admission of homeless children and youth, please contact Robert Aranda, Interim Director at (520)882-8826