The Office of Basic Needs & Well-Being supports students with barriers, challenges and life stressors that arise while on their educational journey at DCTC. The resources navigator meets with students to discuss the challenges they are facing and then assists in finding basic needs resources, solutions and supports so that students can achieve their goals. If you or someone you know needs support or to talk with someone, contact Kasey Meyer, Social Worker.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please use one of the numbers below. If it is an emergency, call 911.
United Way 2-1-1 provides free and confidential health and human services information for people in Minnesota. Available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to connect you with the resources and information to meet your needs.
Text MNHELP to 898-211(TXT211) or call 211 (toll free at 1-800-543-7709) to speak with one of their highly trained information and referral specialists. Your call is completely confidential, and they have call menus in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Interpreters are also available for any language.
If you would like support with your mental health or finding mental health services off-campus, please visit the Mental Health page.
Visit the Mental Health pageCovid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (RentHelpMN)
Covid funding related to supporting individuals behind in rent, utility bills or need funding for shelter fees. Call 211 to get started.
DCTC CRRSSA Emergency Funds
DCTC emergency grant funding provides money for eligible expenses related to a student's cost of attendance including: Food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.
360 Communities
A community agency within Dakota County that supports individuals with a variety of financial needs, but is mostly focused on utility bills and rent. Call 952-985-5300 to receive support.
Isuroon
Isuroon is an agency that focuses on supporting the Somali Community, especially women and children, by providing a halal food shelf, rental assistance, health and wellness, advocacy and support navigating systems. Visit their website or call 952-595-5731 to receive support.
Community Action Partnership
A community agency within Dakota, Scott and Carver county that supports individuals with rent, utility bills, energy assistance and energy related repairs such as a furnace that stops working. Call 651-322-3500 to learn about available supports.
Community Development Agency (CDA) - Dakota County
Community agency that provides rent support and subsidized housing. Call 651-675-4400 to learn more.
Dakota County – Emergency Assistance
Dakota County has emergency assistance for rent, utility and housing and a few other needs that can be accessed once per 12 months. Call 651-554-5611 to determine eligibility.
Energy Assistance Program (statewide)
Program in which individuals can enroll to receive help with energy costs throughout the year. Visit their website to learn more.
Minnesota Department of Revenue
Website that assists in finding a free or low-cost tax preparer near your home.
Prepare + Prosper
Free tax preparer in St. Paul for income eligible individuals. See website for more information on if you qualify.
Exodus Lending
Have payday loan debt that you need assistance with? Reach out to them to see if you qualify to get support with debt.
Dakota County Financial Empowerment
Meet with a financial coach to get support creating a budget, paying off loans or debt, improving your credit score.
DCTC Housing Resources
Search DCTC's housing website to find housing located near DCTC.
The Matrix Housing Services
Matrix Housing Services is a shelter in Dakota County that serves single adults experiencing homelessness. They accept pets into their program too. If you are in need of shelter, call 651-319-2153.
Ally Supportive Services
Ally Services is a Dakota County based agency that supports individuals experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness through client centered support, advocacy and safe, affordable housing. To connect with their services, visit their website or call 651-302-4471.
Dakota County Supportive Housing
If you live in Dakota County and need shelter or need resources to help stay in your home, call 651-554-5751. After calling press a number listed below that pertains to your situation.
Housing Link
Housing Link is a website designed to assist in finding housing. Search by bedrooms, rent, location, accessibility, pets and more.
Community Development Agency
The Dakota County Community Development Agency provides many housing needs. They provide rent assistance, subsidized housing, mortgage foreclosure prevention and many more resources. Visit their website or call them at 651-675-4400.
Emergency Housing/Shelter
Access food on campus whether it's taking food home or finding a meal or snack to eat on campus. For more information visit the Food Service page.
If you are looking for food in your community, visit this website to locate places near you or call 1-888-711-1151.
For other community locations visit the Loaves and Fishes MN website.
“SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, helps Minnesotans with low incomes get the food they need for nutritious and well-balanced meals. The program provides support to help stretch your household food budget. It is not intended to meet all of your household's food needs. It is a supplement.” -Minnesota Department of Human Services
Self-assessments are helpful tools to name and validate what you are feeling. Self-assessments can support by learning about yourself and what next steps could be beneficial on your journey to wellness. Self-assessments are not diagnostic tools, they are supports to help you determine if you should seek professional help for a treatable mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, substance use, etc. Access either of the self-assessment tools below to learn more.
The World Health Organization defines mental health as “A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community.” To learn more about ways to support your mental health and well-being, check out the resources below.
"With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we’d give to a good friend." – Kristin Neff
Parent Aware
Offers free tools and resources to help families find quality childcare. Call 1-888-291-9811 or visit Parent Aware to search for child care options.
Minnesota Postsecondary Child Care Grant
The Child Care Grant program provides financial assistance to students who have children 12 and under, are not receiving assistance under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), and who demonstrate financial need for grants, to help pay for child care while pursuing a postsecondary education. Contact the Financial Aid Help Desk if you have questions – 651-423-8779.
Dakota County Child Care Assistance
Dakota County offers three ways to get child care assistance, but is based on income and involvement in other county service areas. To learn more, visit their website or call them at 651-554-5611 and ask to speak to a Families Information & Referral (I&R) worker to be screened for the program.
Help Me Connect
Help Me Connect is a website that helps connect pregnant and parenting families with services in their local communities. This website has many different areas including development and behaviors concerns, basic needs, mental health, legal, health care and more.
Hope Dental Clinic
Located in St. Paul, they provide exam and procedures for a $20 fee. To learn more and schedule call 651-789-7605.
Mission Dental Outpost
Located in Burnsville they provide dental services for a $20 fee to learn more and schedule call 952-898-9318.
Sharing and Caring Hands
Located in Minneapolis they provide free extractions and fillings only. To learn more and schedule call 612-338-4640.
St. Mary’s Health Clinic
St. Mary’s offers free services to individuals who do not have insurance. The services offered are clinic visits, lab-tests, x-rays, diagnostic tests and most medications. To see if you are eligible or to make an appoint call 651-287-7777.
Dakota Child and Family Clinic
Dakota Child and Family Clinic offers primary care services on a sliding fee scale based on income. There is an application that needs to be filled out prior to your appointment that will help determine the costs of your services. Call 651-209-8690 for an appointment or questions.
Native American Community Clinic
Native American Clinic that focuses on serving the Native American community in the Twin Cities, but offers services to anyone. Serves individuals that have insurance, are uninsured or underinsured. Provides medical, dental, behavioral health, social services, community health and tribal health. To schedule call 612-872-8086.
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood offers reproductive and sexual health services to those insured, uninsured or underinsured. To receive financial assistance for appointments, call prior to scheduling.
Sage Screening Programs
Free screening for cervical and breast cancer. Call 1-888-643-2584 or visit their website to schedule an appointment.
Shriners Children Hospital
Shriners Children Hospital offers services to children whose families are not covered under an insurance plan, regardless of ability to pay. Shriners will assist in funding and finding the resources to pay for bills. To determine if Shriners can provide the medical needs for your child call 800-237-5055.
Portico
Portico is an agency that supports individuals who would like to enroll in a health insurance plan and want support navigating the health care system. They support throughout the application and enrollment process. Call 651-489-2273 for support.
MNsure
Minnesota support system to shop, compare and enroll in a health insurance plan. Call 651-539-2099 for support.
Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES)
CLUES navigators support individuals in choosing a plan and signing up for health insurance through MNsure. Navigators can assist in Spanish and English. Call 612-746-3500 to schedule an appointment.
Open Cities Eye Clinic
Eye exams for anyone insured or uninsured. For individuals uninsured they work on a sliding fee scale based on income. Call 651-209-8640 for questions and appointments.
Legal Assistance of Dakota County
Supports income eligible individuals within the Family Law area; divorce, custody, Orders for Protection, etc. They also provide a consumer law clinic on Tuesdays from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. for legal advice only. For more information or to receive support, call 952-431-3200.
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS)
SMRLS provides free legal services to low-income individuals in a variety of areas including; housing, immigration, education, government benefits, family and more. To get help visit their website or call 1-888-575-2954.
Law Help MN
Law Help MN allows you to search for services in your area using keywords and specific legal topics. Find clinics, low-cost services and lawyer information in the area where you need support.
Homeline Hotline
Homeline Hotline is a free/low-cost service for individuals that need support with their rental housing situation. They offer services in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong.
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ICLM)
ILCM provides free brief legal advice and full representation to immigrants and refugees in Minnesota who qualify for services. Call 651-641-1011 to learn more.
DCTC Library
DCTC Library has free laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots for students to check out for three weeks. Find out more information by calling the library at 651-423-8366 or emailing library@dctc.edu.
PC's for People
PC's for People offers low-cost technology including laptop and desktop computers as well as low-cost internet. They also do low-cost computer repairs.
Dakota County Library
The Dakota County Public Library offers Wi-Fi and Chromebook check-outs for residents of Dakota County. They can be checked out for 6 weeks at a time.
Sexual Violence Support Groups can vary by agency. Some agencies have drop in support groups while others have groups that run for a certain number of weeks. The following agencies serve individuals who have experienced Sexual Violence. Some of the agencies also offer individual services or can give you a referral for Sexual Violence therapists in the community.
All of the above-mentioned places have advocacy services too, which, can assist you in completing Harassment Restraining Orders (HRO) or Orders for Protection (OFP). To file an OFP or HRO, contact the agency within the county you live.
Domestic Violence Support Groups can vary by agency. Some agencies have drop in support groups while others have groups that run for a certain number of weeks. The following agencies serve individuals who have experienced or are experiencing Domestic Violence. The agencies include counties; however, you are able to access any agency to receive group support. Some of the agencies also offer individual services or can give you a referral for Domestic Violence therapists in the community.
All of the above-mentioned places have advocacy services too, which, can assist you in completing Harassment Restraining Orders (HRO) or Orders for Protection (OFP). To file an OFP or HRO, contact the agency within the county you live.
The agencies listed under Domestic and Sexual Violence can also serve individuals who have been trafficked and there are a few agencies below that provide specific support to individuals.
Minnesota Recovery Connection
Minnesota Recovery connection has a peer support program, where individuals with recovery experience or recovery allies connect once a week via phone. To enroll in this program, complete this form. Minnesota Recovery Connection also has a resource page with a large list of substance abuse support services in Minnesota. That list can be found here. Their website also gives information on substance use.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a nationwide agency that connects individuals to treatment options. They have a 24/7 treatment referral line that you can call to find support. Their number is 1-800-662-4357.
