The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the primary federal law dealing with the education of pre-K and school-aged children in homeless situations.  Under the law, homeless children and youth have the right to get to, stay in, and be successful in school while they or their families are homeless.  The law focuses on maintaining school stability and school access and providing support for academic success for homeless kids.  The law also requires schools and states to use child-centered, best-interest decision making when working with homeless children and their families, to choose a homeless child’s school, services, and other needed resources.  The District’s designated liaison for assistance under the McKinney-Vento Act is Melissa Bergler at 716-926-2211.