School and Community Resources
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Lakeville Area Schools is dedicated to ensuring all of our students and families have access to the resources and support they need. When needed, students will be promptly connected to support services (counselors, psychologists, social workers) within the school building as well as school success liaisons. Our dedicated community-based partners are also here to provide additional support for students and families who may be in need.
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Educational Benefits - More than Meals
Educational benefits include more than just free/reduced-price meals! Qualifying families may receive the following benefits:
- Free/reduced ACT/SAT/AP fees,
- Free/reduced transportation fees,
- Free/reduced activities fees,
- Free/reduced-price internet access,
- Discounted college application fees,
- And more!
The Free Meals for All program has ended. If you would like to take advantage of free/reduced-price meals or any of the other opportunities above for the 2022-23 school year, you MUST complete an application for educational benefits.
- Apply online
- Complete the paper form
English | Español | Somali | русский
- Take a photo or scan the completed application and email it to julie.wharton@isd194.org.
- Mail it or drop off at the District Office: 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville, MN 55044.
We’re here to help! Please call 952-232-2061 if you need assistance filling out the application.
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Food Support
Second Harvest Heartland
Find help locating food resources in the area through Second Harvest Heartland.
Second Harvest Heartland can also help you find out if you are eligible for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Groceries can be expensive and SNAP can help with that.
To find out if you are eligible, use Second Harvest Heartland's SNAP tool.
Learn more about SNAP by going to this link. You will find fact sheets in multiple languages. Choose your language to learn more.
Open Door Pantry
Contact the Open Door Pantry to make an appointment to pick up food at a location that is convenient for you.
360 Communities
Find a food shelf in your area with 360 Communities Network of food shelves.
No Kid Hungry
Use the No Kid Hungry meal finder website to find free meals for kids under 18 years old near you.
Pandemic-EBT Benefits for Families
Students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals may be eligible for Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) to purchase food for days the student is not physically present in school due to a COVID-19 impact. To be considered, households must submit an application for free or reduced-price meals for the 2021-22 school year or be approved for Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. P-EBT benefits are effective starting on the approval date of the application for free or reduced-price meals. Families who received P-EBT benefits last summer are not automatically eligible; eligibility is based on the current school year.
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Child Tax Credit (2021 tax year)
Families can still claim the Child Tax Credit for tax year 2021. Families claiming this credit will receive:
- Up to $3,000 per qualifying child between the ages of 6 and 17 at the end of 2021
- Up to $3,600 per qualifying child under age 6 at the end of 2021
Families who received any monthly Advance Child Care Tax Credit payments in 2021 need to file taxes this year to get the second half of their money. The rest of the Child Tax Credit will be issued in one payment. If families have not received any Child Tax Credit payments for 2021 yet, they can file simplified taxes now to get the whole credit.
Use this simplified tax filing tool to claim your Child Tax Credit. Families must start this process by November 15 to claim their tax benefits in 2022.
Visit childtaxcredit.gov for more information.
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Housing Support
Dakota County residents may call the Housing Crisis Line at 651-554-5751 if they need emergency shelter or Information on community housing resources and referrals.
Scott County residents may call CAP Agency, (952) 496-2125 if they need community housing resources and referrals.
Know Your Rights
If your family lives in any of the following situations:
- In a shelter or treatment facility
- In a hotel, motel or campground due to loss of housing or economic hardship
- In a car or other motorized vehicle
- Couchsurfing/moving from place to place
- Doubled-up with another family due to loss of housing or economic hardship
- In housing that is unsafe (no running water, heat, electricity, etc.)
- In a public or private place that is not meant as a sleeping place
Your children have a right to:
- Stay in the same school even if you move to find housing
- Receive transportation to and from school
- Enroll in school immediately even if you do not have proof of residency, school records, or other documents
- Receive a free, appropriate public education
- Participate in extracurricular activities
- Receive free meals at school
- Receive academic help to stay on track in school
If your family is experiencing homelessness, including living with another family or in a temporary living facility due to loss of housing or financial hardship, please call 952-232-2072 or email megan.reikowski@isd194.org
Printable PDFs are available in multiple languages.
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Mental, Chemical and Behavioral Health
Lakeville Area Schools has Student Support Services staff in every building that provides confidential support for students with mental, chemical or behavioral health concerns, student engagement, and attendance. If you are concerned about your child, please fill out this form, contact your child’s school, or contact Lisa Holien, Student Services Coordinator, at 952-232-3770 or lisa.holien@isd194.org. Additionally, Lakeville Area Schools offers referrals for school-based mental health therapy services for students based on identified needs and availability.
In case of a mental health emergency, Dakota County residents should call Dakota County Crisis Response at 952-892-7171. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Scott County residents should call Mental Health Center Intake at 952-496-8481 during regular business hours.
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Multilingual and Multicultural Support
Language Help
Call 952-232-2098 or email languagehelp@isd194.org if you need language support or would like someone to assist you in connecting with district or community supports listed on this page.
Learn more about language supports availaible to families here: isd194.org/languagehelp
School Success Liaisons
Lakeville Area Schools has a team of school success liaisons who are available to support families and students with cultural expertise. Contact a School Success Liaison.
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Technology Support
Lakeville Area Schools has a limited number of wif-fi hotspots which will be provided for free and prioritized for families who qualify for educational benefits or for whom the cost of internet would be a burden. If you need a reliable internet connection and you qualify for educational benefits (free and reduced price meals) please fill out this form.
Families who do not qualify for free internet through the district can still receive assistance in applying for low-cost Internet solutions through Internet Service Providers.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households. If your household is eligible, you can receive:- Up to a $30/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
- Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
For more details, please use this link: https://www.fcc.gov/acp