Family Support Services

There are many services available to district families through the Family Support Services office. They include:

Free and Reduced Price School Meals

The Forest Lake Area School District sends school meal applications home at the beginning of each school year. However, you may apply for school meal benefits at any time throughout the school year by completing an Application for Educational Benefits online using the links below. Free and Reduced Price meal applications are confidential. Your information will only be used to determine your child’s eligibility. We cannot share your information without your permission.

If you are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or participating in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), your child will qualify for free school meals. If you are eligible for unemployment compensation, you might also be eligible for free or reduced price school meals. Please complete an application in these instances or if your household’s income falls within the guidelines below.

An application for Free and Reduced Price Meals, or more information about these programs, can be found at the district's Nutrition Services website.

Free School Breakfast

If your child qualifies for Free and Reduced Price Lunch, they automatically qualify for free breakfast at school every day. All kindergarten students in the district qualify for free breakfast.

Reduced Activity Fees

Students who are on the free or reduced lunch program are not charged full price to participate in activities. If your child receives free lunch you still need to register on FeePay. At the point of check-out the fee will be half cost or free depending on your family's level of need.

• Online Free and Reduced Application (English and Spanish)
• Hmong Free and Reduced Application (Paper)
• For applications in languages other than English, Spanish or Hmong, go to:
  www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/application/familyfriendlyapps.html

Rangers Supporting Rangers Weekly Food Program

The Rangers Supporting Rangers food program assists families in the district who have a financial need by supplementing meals on weekends and during extended school breaks. Each participating student receives a pack of nonperishable, child-friendly food items every Friday during the school year.

There are no specific income criteria for participating in the Rangers Supporting Rangers program. There is also no charge for this program; it’s entirely funded through grants and private donations. All information gathered from families will be considered confidential and will only be shared with district staff directly involved with coordinating this program.

To participate in this program, please visit: https://www.rangerssupportingrangersfl.org/ and click on Registration Information or contact the school counselor/dean.

School Supplies Program

The Rangers Supporting Rangers School Supply Program assists families in the district who have a financial need by providing backpacks and school supplies. Rangers Supporting Rangers is currently accepting registrations from families for the 2018-19 school year. Registration closes May 29. Backpacks and supplies will be available at the school your child attends in August before school starts. Watch for an email from your school with more information. This program is entirely funded by grants and private donations.

To register for this program, please visit: https://forestlake.ce.eleyo.com/

School Based Mental Health Program

In order to increase access to mental health services for students, the School Based Mental Health Program allows mental health agencies, with whom the district has an agreement, to provide mental health services to students within the school building during the school day. 

• Confidentiality maintained
• Removes barriers of access
• Lessens time loss for parents from work and students from school
• Parents can connect with agencies directly or ask for assistance from school
  

Click here for resources and a printable brochure on School Based Mental Health.

Supporting Students and Families Experiencing Homelessness

According to the McKinney-Vento Act, students and families experiencing homelessness are defined as lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, including students/families who are:

• Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing or economic hardship
• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of adequate accommodations
• Living in emergency or transitional shelters
• Unaccompanied youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian
  

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act provides students experiencing homelessness and highly mobile students with certain rights so they have access to opportunities that will help them meet the same high academic standards expected of all students in our district, including:

• Immediate enrollment in school
• Transportation to the school they attended when they became homeless (school of origin)
• Access to academic services and family support resources
• Automatic qualification for free school meals

These opportunities for students and families are funded through state and federal programs. For more information, please contact: Carolyn Carr Latady, District Homeless Liaison, 651-982-8350, clatady@flaschools.org.