School Resources
Social Work
La Tierra is proud to have a school social worker on campus 2 days per week. Social workers are the link between the home, school and community. Social workers help promote and support the students’ academic and social success. They provide direct and indirect services related to a student’ social, emotional needs and a student’s adjustment to school life.
La Tierra’s School Social Worker is Ms. Cristal.
Ms. Cristal has almost 20 years experience in children’s mental health and 8 years in the school setting.
Some of the services provided include:
- Crisis Intervention/Response
- Mental Health and Wellness Education and Promotion
- Suicide Awareness
- 1:1 Brief Intervention
- Community Outreach/Resources
- Social Skills Classroom Interventions
Ms Cristal can be reached at cbarko@latierracommunityschool.org
McKinney- Vento / Homeless Education
Our Mission
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?
La Tierra Community School has a Homeless Program Coordinator 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
Homeless Program Coordinator:
Dawn Klaiber
dklaiber@latierracommunityschool.org
Arizona families are facing the highest inflation rates in the nation. If you need help putting food on the table for your kids, you’re not alone. Learn more about how SNAP can help your family.
Jake’s Law
In 2020, the Arizona legislature passed “Jake’s Law” which created a fund that provides uninsured and underinsured children access to behavioral health services when they are referred through an educational institution—otherwise known as “school-based referrals.” To make school-based referrals, the legislature required school districts and charter schools to pass a policy that outlined the law as it relates to school-based referrals. The policy must include:
- An opt-in process for parents
- A survey to parents whose children utilize school-based referrals
- A list of service providers published on the district website https://www.spectrumhealthcare-group.com/
- An annual report to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
Governing Board Policy Manual
BH Referral Consent Form
– an opt-in process for parents
ABOUT JAKE’S LAW
S.B. 1523 is named in honor of Jake Machovsky, an Arizona teen who lost his life to suicide in 2016 after battling mental health issues. Jake’s parents, Denise and Ben, started the JEM Foundation to end youth suicide and expand behavioral health services. Additional resources can be found for suicide prevention, parents & caregivers, and a lot more.