School and Community Resources
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Lakeville Area Schools is dedicated to ensuring that all of our students and families have access to the resources and support they need throughout this pandemic and beyond. 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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Advance Payments of the 2021 Child Tax Credit
For tax year 2021, families claiming the Child Tax 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
The total of the advance payments will be up to 50 percent of the Child Tax Credit.
Advance payments of the 2021 Child Tax Credit will be made monthly from July 15 through December 15 to eligible taxpayers who have a main home in the United States for more than half the year.
- Advance payments will be calculated and paid automatically.
- Eligible taxpayers who don’t want to receive advance payment of the 2021 Child Tax Credit can unenroll from payments.
- Eligible taxpayers who don’t normally file a tax return can register for the monthly advance payments using the Non-filer Sign-up Tool.
Visit IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021 for more information.
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Educational Benefits
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,
- Free meals at the beginning of next school year
- And more!
While all students in our district are currently eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch through the 2021-22 school year due to an extension of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s free meals program, this funding is not guaranteed long-term, which is why it’s important families apply for these educational benefits now. There are three easy ways to apply:
- Apply online
- Complete the form and take a photo or scan the completed application and email it to julie.wharton@isd194.org.
- Complete the form and 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.
Language Assistance:
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Food Support
School meals: Thanks to funding from the USDA, school meals remain free through the rest of the 2021-22 school year for all students, regardless of the learning model your child is currently in.
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 they are not in the school building. 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. Families who received P-EBT benefits last summer are not automatically eligible; eligibility is based on the current school year.
More Information from the MN Department of Human Services
Contact the Open Door Pantry to make an appointment to pick up food at a location that is convenient for you.
Find a food shelf in your area with 360 Communities Network of food shelves.
Use the No Kid Hungry meal finder website to find free meals for kids under 18 years old near you.
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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.
- Know Your Rights - English
- Know Your Rights - Spanish/Español
- Know Your Rights - Somali/Soomaali
- Know Your Rights - Russian/русский
- Know Your Rights - Mandarin Chinese/普通话
- Know Your Rights - Korean/한국인
- Know Your Rights - All Languages
The Eviction Moratorium is Ending
Know your rights and learn what you can do to stay in your home.
Between now and October 12, property owners must give tenants a 15-day notice before they file an eviction for non-payment.
You might be eligible for rental assistance. Go to RentHelpMN.org or call 211 to apply. As long as you complete your application and have a receipt, you are protected, even if you haven't heard back about your application yet.
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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.
Emergency Braodband Benefit Program
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households. If your household is eligible, you can receive:- Up to a $50/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.getemergencybroadband.org/ The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.
