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Family Support Services

Save Receipts for School Supplies!

The Minnesota Department of Revenue offers two valuable tax benefits for parents who purchase school supplies for their K-12 students: the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction.These benefits can reduce parents’ taxes to increase their refund, but are only available for those who keep their receipts. Purchases for most school supplies, field trips, and musical instruments for school band are eligible. Most Minnesota parents qualify for the K-12 subtraction, which reduces their taxable income. Parents under certain income limits may also qualify for the K-12 credit, which can refund up to 75% of their costs – even for parents who do not owe any taxes. For more details, visit www.revenue.state.mn.us and enter K12 in the Search box. ...

Online For All - Affordable Connectivity Program 

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. For more details, visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp 

Reduced Activity Fees

The Forest Lake Area School District sends an Application for Educational Benefit to each household at the beginning of each school year. However, families can apply for these benefits at any time throughout the school year. The benefits available include reduced activity fees, community education classes, musical instrument rentals, etc. for those who meet the income eligibility requirements. Factors considered in the application process are whether your family receives Minnesota Family Investment Income (MFIP) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or your household size and total household income.

Rangers Supporting Rangers Logo - Growing Healthy Students


Rangers Supporting Rangers Weekly Food Program  

The RSR Food Program is intended to assist families in the district who have a financial need by supplementing meals on weekends and during extended school breaks. Each participating student receives a weekend meal pack containing 2 light breakfasts, lunches, and snacks every Friday during the school year. 

If you would like your student to receive food through this program, please complete the online registration form.

For more information, please see our informational brochure or visit https://www.rangerssupportingrangersfl.org/

Backpacks and assortment of school supplies

 

School Supplies Program

Rangers Supporting Rangers School Supply Information for the 2023-24 School Year:

The Rangers Supporting Rangers School Supply Program assists families in the district who have a financial need by providing backpacks and school supplies to their students. Rangers Supporting Rangers is currently accepting registrations from families with students attending Forest Lake Area Schools for the 2023-24 school year. 

Backpacks and school supplies will be available before school starts in August at the school your student attends. Watch for an email from your school with more information later this summer. 

To register for this program:

Please register online for the school your student will be attending during the 2023-24 school year. 
For school supply assistance after the start of the school year, contact Rachel Peterson at rpeterson@flaschools.org or 651-982-3154. 

To help support this program:

Rangers Supporting Rangers is a 501(c)(3) organization. Financial donations are tax deductible and 100% of donations are used to support this project. Rangers Supporting Rangers is a volunteer organization. This program is entirely funded by grants and private donations. 

To make a financial contribution:

Please make checks to “Rangers Supporting Rangers” and send to:

Rangers Supporting Rangers
8661 North Shore Trail N
Forest Lake, MN  55025

If you have questions about making a contribution, please contact Stephanie Groff at 651-307-0969, sgroff22@gmail.com

To donate school supplies or for additional information:

Please contact Tracy Angelo at tangelo@flaschools.org or 651-982-8110.

Community Closet

Our STEP program students have opened a community closet to provide free used clothing for families in need. We are ready to welcome families to come browse and take home items they need. All clothing items in the Community Closet are free. If you could benefit from this resource, contact communitycloset@flaschools.org to schedule a convenient time to visit. 

The Community Closet is located at the STEP program center (in the former CLC building) at 200 4th St SW. Enter through door 7, which is on the back side of the building near 3rd Ave SW and 5th St SW in Forest Lake.

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. 

Click here for resources and a printable brochure on School Based Mental Health or reach out to your school counselor or dean for more information.

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:

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:

These opportunities for students and families are funded through state and federal programs. For more information, please contact: Brad Ward or Rachel Peterson at 651-982-3154.

Finding Help

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Outside Resources for Families in Need