Families

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Community Resources for Families

Community Resources for Families

Owatonna Public Schools has identified possible community services and resources to assist families who may be facing financial hardships. For additional support, please contact the school social worker in your child’s building for more information or assistance.

United Way of Steele County

2-1-1 Information and Referral

Try calling 2-1-1 (1-800-543-7709) for information on senior childcare, legal help, transportation, housing, employment, food, counseling, volunteering, and much more! United Way of Steele County helps fund this service for our area. 2-1-1 is a free, multilingual, and confidential phone service that is available 24/7/365.

Location:
1850 Austin Road, Suite 103
Owatonna
(507) 455-1180

Food/Nutrition Needs

Community Pathways of Steele County

Marketplace at Community Pathways is a welcoming resource for people dealing with food insecurity. They offer a weekly shopping experience that allows registered members to choose anything they feel will satisfy their families' wants and needs

Location:
155 Oakdale Street
Owatonna
(507) 455-2991

Owatonna Public Schools

Breakfast and lunch are served for free to all students in Minnesota. Families may apply for other educational benefits including reduced high school activity fees by applying online, by stopping at the District Office, 333 East School Street, or by calling (507) 444-8616.

Free Community Meals

Table for All

When: Every Thursday
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Where: Trinity Lutheran Church, 609 Lincoln Avenue Owatonna
Room: Fellowship Hall
For more information or transportation needs call: (507) 451-4520

Community Supper

When: Every Wednesday
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Where: Bethel Church, 1611 Hemlock Ave Owatonna
Room: Multipurpose Room, downstairs, across from the kitchen.
For more information call: (507) 451-8548

St. Vincent de Paul Society

When: Every Tuesday
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: St. Joseph Catholic Church, 512 S Elm Ave, Owatonna
For more information call: (507) 451-4845

Clothing Needs

Health/Dental Needs

Steele County Children’s Remedial Fund

The Children's Remedial Fund of Steele County is a program intended to provide financial support to eligible families who have children with medical, dental, vision, hearing, school supplies and winter clothing needs. You can download and print an application on the website or request an application from your community school nurse or school social worker.

Let’s Smile Inc. Dental Programs

Some of the schools offer dental clinics in partnership with Let’s Smile Inc. These services are for families on state insurance programs or have no dental insurance. Let’s Smile also provides dental cleanings at Community Pathways of Steele County on most Wednesdays. Contact your child’s school social worker for more information or contact Holly from Let’s Smile directly at 507-363-3023.

FamilyWize Prescription Discount

FamilyWize is a prescription discount drug program that could potentially save you 40% on prescription drugs. The discount cards are free of charge and available through their website

Housing Assistance

Energy Assistance Program

SEMCAC is a local community agency that provides energy assistance. You can find their EAP application on their website or by calling 1-800-944-3281.

Housing

If your family is experiencing or anticipates loss of housing, please contact your school social worker. There are protections and services available to you under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. There are also resources within the community to support with eviction prevention.

Families in Transition

Students or families who are experiencing any of the following living situations due to loss of housing or financial difficulties may qualify as a family in transition (FIT):

Doubled up with another family
Couch hopping or staying with friends
Staying in hotels or motels due to lack of housing
Displaced due to flooding or other natural disasters
Living in residences not meant as permanent housing (car, camper, business, abandoned house or building)

What services are available to FIT students?

The ability to stay in their original school, even when moving outside of the school boundaries
Free bussing if living outside walking distance
Free school meals
Support with removing barriers to school attendance and participation
Help with school supplies and winter outerwear
Preschool opportunities for younger students
Help connecting to community resources

How will the school social worker determine eligibility?
When a school social worker believes that a student may be considered a Family in Transition (FIT student), they will connect with the guardian or speak to the student, if they are in the secondary schools, to have a conversation to better understand the family's situation. If it is determined that the situation qualifies as a family in transition, the school social worker will complete paperwork to ensure that the family receives all benefits available to them. Information is shared with the school district's Families in Transition Liaison and is kept private unless otherwise requested by the family.

Please contact your school's social worker for more information.
Lincoln Elementary
McKinley Elementary
Washington Elementary
Wilson Elementary
Owatonna Middle School
Owatonna High School
Owatonna Area Learning Center

You may also contact the Owatonna school district’s Families in Transition Liaison, Trina Kasper, at 507-444-8081 or pkasper@isd761.org