During these unprecedented times, many students and families have found themselves experiencing challenges that they have never faced before. At Calibre Academy, we are committed to supporting our students, families, and community in any way possible. Our Virtual Wellness Center is designed to connect those in need with resources right here in our community! From mental health resources to homelessness, education to employment, we’ve gathered some amazing organizations that can help with a variety of challenges!
Please note, this information is not all-inclusive. We encourage students and parents facing an issue not listed here to please contact our school administrators. We will do our best to find as many resources as possible to help you through whatever situation you may be dealing with.
City of Surprise Community Resources
12425 W Bell Rd #124
Surprise, AZ 85374
(623) 222-1600
https://www.surpriseaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/40011/Community-Resource-Guide?bidId=
Family Promise – Glendale
7115 North 55th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85301
480-659-5227
Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter
1050 W Mountain View Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85021
(602) 944-0960
Church on the Street – COTS – Homeless Assistance
3210 NW Grand Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017
(602) 225-7891
Homeward Bound
2302 West Colter Street
Phoenix, AZ 85015
(602) 263-7654
House Of Refuge Sunnyslope
9835 North 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85020
(602) 678-0223
The Respite Shelter for Homeless Men
7000 N Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85020
(602) 870-4353
Steps House – Center for Healing
2601 East Paradise Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 569-5571
Phoenix Rescue Mission
1801 S 35th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85009
(602) 346-3384
Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness
141 E Palm Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 340-9393
Phoenix Dream Center
3210 NW Grand Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85017
(602) 346-8726
Catholic Charities Community Services
7400 W. Olive Avenue, #10
Peoria, AZ – 85345
(623) 486-9868
Sojourner Center – Phoenix
(602) 244-0997
The Society Of St. Vincent De Paul Diocese
420 W. Watkins Road
Phoenix, AZ – 85002
(602) 261-6812
Umom New Day Centers
3320 East Van Buren
Phoenix, AZ – 85008
The Arizona Homeless Education Program is dedicated to ensuring that all children and youth experiencing homelessness have access to the public education to which they are entitled under the federal McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act. ADE works towards this goal by ensuring that Arizona state policies are in compliance with federal law, by providing technical assistance to Arizona’s local homeless liaisons, and by providing informational and awareness materials to educators and other interested community members throughout Arizona.
Parent and Family Rights
- Your child can be enrolled in school, even if you do not have required documents such as a birth certificate or shot records.
- Your child may be able to stay at the same school, and you may be able to receive transportation to that school.
- Your child can receive free school breakfast and lunch.
State Coordinator
Silvia Chavez
Email: Silvia.Chavez@azed.gov
(602) 542-4963– Desk phone
(602) 542-3050 – Fax line
Every school district and charter school must appoint a homeless education liaison and submit their contact to the state department.
Sharon Kaplan
Email: sharon.kaplan@calibreacdemy.com
Phone: (623) 556-2179
No child or family should ever go hungry! Listed below are several local organizations to find food and nutritional support.
Arizona Food Bank Network
https://azfoodbanks.org/
City of Surprise
https://www.surpriseaz.gov/3804/COVID-19-Community-Care-Resources
Valley View Community Food Bank
https://feedingaz.org/
Radiant Church
https://radiantchurch.com/
Phoenix Rescue Mission
https://phoenixrescuemission.org/
Catholic Outreach Center
12301 W. Bell Rd. #A-103
Surprise, AZ – 85374
Phone: (602) 532-2981
St. Marys Food Bank Alliance Westside Location
13050 W Elm St
Surprise, AZ – 85374
Phone: 602-242-FOOD
Feeding America’s Hungry Children
20439 N. Fletcher Way
Peoria, AZ – 85382
Phone: (602) 241-2873
West Valley Community Food Pantry
7205 N. 51st Ave.
Glendale, AZ – 85301
Phone: (623) 848-8278
St. Marys Food Bank Alliance Glendale Location
5605 N 55th Ave
Glendale, AZ – 85301
Phone: 602-242-FOOD
Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank – Avondale
405 E Harrison Dr
Avondale, AZ – 85323
Phone: (623) 932-9135
Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Santa Teresita
14012 N. Verbena
El Mirage, AZ – 85335
Phone: (623) 215-0288
The Mckinney-Vento Act
Federal Guidelines
Your preschool and school-aged child(ren) may qualify for certain rights and protections under the Federal McKinney-Vento Act if your family lives in any of the following situations:
- In a shelter
- In a motel/hotel
- In a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station
- Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship.
- In a campground due to the lack of an alternative accommodation
The AZ Department of Education (ADE) and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs– public schools & charters) have designated points of contact to provide assistance and school stability.
Your eligible child(ren) have the right to:
- Immediate school enrollment. A school must immediately enroll students even if they lack health, immunization or school records, proof of guardianship, or proof of residency.
- Enroll in: the school he/she attended when permanently housed (school of origin); the school in which he/she was last enrolled (school of origin) ; any school that non-homeless students living in the same attendance area in which the homeless child or youth is actually living are eligible to attend.
- Remain enrolled in his/her selected school for as long as he/ she remains homeless or, if the student becomes permanently housed, until the end of the academic year.
- Priority in certain preschool programs.
- Participate in a tutorial-instructional support program, school-related activities, and/or receive other support services
- Obtain information regarding how to get fee waivers, and low-cost or free medical referrals.
- Transportation services: A homeless student attending his/her school of origin has a right to transportation to go to and from the school of origin as long as (s)he is homeless or, if the student becomes permanently housed, until the end of the academic year.
If you believe your child(ren) may be eligible:
- Contact the school of attendance for your child(ren), speak to the front office staff and request McKinney-Vento services as well as the district liaison contact information. OR
- Visit the ADE website to find your Point of Contact for your LEA: http://www.azed.gov/homeless/liaisons/
If you are having trouble contacting your district liaison and receiving services, please contact:
Silvia Chavez, AZ State Coordinator – Homeless Education Program
Homeless@azed.gov – (602)542-496
Learn the warning signs of someone struggling and start the conversation to prevent suicide:
Warning Signs of Suicide
- Severe behavior change: withdrawing, isolating or sudden improvement of mood.
- Historical factor: family history of suicide or previous attempt.
- Health condition: mental health or serious physical health issue.
- Environmental impact: stress, access to means or loss.
How to Have a Conversation
- Asking about suicide will not plant the idea in someone’s head.
- Ask directly… Are you thinking of killing yourself?
- Talk about suicide as you would about any other health condition.
- Listen and let the person know you care about them and want them to be safe.
Youth and Suicide
- By asking directly about suicide, you are giving them a chance to talk about their thoughts and feelings.
- Youth often do not reveal if a peer is thinking of suicide – tell them to find a trusted adult. There are some secrets one cannot keep.
- Maintain a connection and prioritize safety.
- Stay calm and do not leave the youth alone – find a supportive agency or adult who can help with resources.
Crisis services are available to any Arizona resident, regardless of health insurance coverage. If you or someone you know is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, please call one of these national or local crisis lines:
- COVID-19 Crisis Counseling
- Call 2-1-1 for free COVID-19 crisis counseling. www.ResilientArizona.org
- Llame al 2-1-1 para conectarse con un proveedor de consejería.
- National 24-Hour Crisis Hotlines
- Phone
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- National Substance Use and Disorder Issues Referral and Treatment Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- Text
- Text the word “HOME” to 741741
- Phone
- Suicide and Crisis Hotlines by County
- Maricopa County served by Mercy Care: 1-800-631-1314 or 602-222-9444
- Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma Counties served by Arizona Complete Health – Complete Care Plan: 1-866-495-6735
- Apache, Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai Counties served by Health Choice Arizona: 1-877-756-4090
- Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian Communities: 1-800-259-3449
- Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community: 1-855-331-6432
- Especially for Kids & Teens
- Teen Lifeline phone or text: 602-248-TEEN (8336)
- The Trevor Project 1-866-488-7386 (Youth who identify as LGBTQ)
- One-n-ten https://onenten.org/
- Especially for Veterans
- Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (press 1)
- Be Connected: 1-866-4AZ-VETS (429-8387)
- Especially for Seniors
- 24-Hour Senior HELP LINE – 602-264-4357 (HELP)
- Peer-operated Warm Line
- The Peer Warm line is staffed by trained peers (members with lived experience overcoming mental illness) who provide a friendly voice, support and help to alleviate loneliness and isolation. 1-844-733-9912.
- Tribal Warm Line
- Need someone to talk to? Need help? Feeling down? Help is available. Confidential American Indian Support Service. 1-855-728-8630.
Listed below are both local and national agencies to help individuals and families in need of mental health resources:
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
Arizona Complete Health
NAMI Arizona
Maricopa County
Solari
Mental Health America of Arizona
COPA Health
Arizona Department of Child Safety
Arizona Department of Education
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
