Family Support
Welcome to Caprock Academy's Family Support Page
At Caprock Academy, we are committed to supporting every student and family within our community. This page serves as a resource for families experiencing housing instability, ensuring that every child has access to the education and support they deserve.
What is the McKinney-Vento Act?
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law designed to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness have equal access to public education. Enacted in 1987, this legislation provides vital protections and resources for students and families facing housing instability.
Who qualifies for McKinney-Vento?
Any child or youth who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence including:
- Those who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship,
- are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
- are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals;*
- Those who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
- Those who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
- Those identified by the Migrant Education Program (as defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless because the children are living in circumstances described in the bullet points above
If your family or someone you know is experiencing any of these challenges, please reach out to us. Our team is here to connect you with resources, guidance, and support to ensure your child’s educational journey is uninterrupted.
Together, we can create a stable and supportive environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
McKinney-Vento Liaisons
Every school district has a designated McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Liaison responsible for identifying MKV students and providing resources to help these students.
McKinney-Vento Liaison’s Roles and Responsibilities
- The local liaison is the key to ensuring homeless children and youths receive the services they need.
- Required in all local education agencies regardless of subgrant status.
- The liaison is the primary contact between homeless families, school and local education agency/district staff, shelter workers, and other service providers.
- In 42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A), the McKinney-Vento Act lists the responsibilities of the local liaison including ensuring the protection of student and parent rights outlined under the law.
Heather Van Schaick
Caprock Academy McKinney-Vento Liaison
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 970-243-1771 Ext. 1264
Paula Gumina
State Coordinator
Education of Homeless Children and Youth
Email: [email protected]
Betsy Basch
Mental Health Programs Coordinator
Charter School Institute
Email: [email protected]

Alleviating weekend hunger so that children arrive at school only hungry to learn.
Kids Aid Backpack Program at Caprock Academy
Caprock Academy is proud to partner with Kids Aid to offer the Backpack Program, providing nutritious food to students in need over the weekends—completely free of charge. The program helps bridge the weekend hunger gap so that students can focus on learning when they return to school on Monday.
How It Works
Kids Aid removes all barriers to participation. There are no forms to fill out and no qualifications—if a child or family expresses a need, they will receive a food bag. Volunteers distribute the food directly to children at school, home, or designated community locations, making access as easy as possible.
Each week, Kids Aid carefully selects and packs nutritious, age-appropriate food for students, ensuring they receive 10-14 items per bag, including:
- Breakfast items
- Lunch and dinner options
- Nutritious snacks
- Easy-to-prepare meals
How to Sign Up
If your child would benefit from this program, sign up today! Simply email Karen Koronko, our school counselor, at [email protected]
At Caprock Academy, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our students. The Kids Aid Backpack Program ensures that no child goes hungry over the weekend, giving them the nutrition they need to thrive.