Family Resources & Support

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The Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools are committed to supporting students and families as they travel along their educational path. During the past year, many have experienced an increase in social, emotional and financial stress due to the pandemic. The district’s school social workers, counselors and outreach teams share these resources with you to help you and your family navigate the challenges. We invite you to reach out to them or school and program staff with any questions, concerns or a request for more support.

Sauk Rapids Rice ISD47 partners with Central Minnesota Mental Health Center and Lutheran Social Services to provide in school therapy services. Please contact your building social worker to make a referral.

Community Resource Guide

This guide lists resources and agencies that help community members address a variety of needs—from housing and food to finances and mental health.

Note: The Community Resource Guide, developed in 2019, was shared with the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District by an outside community agency. Services and distribution protocols may have changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Please check with the individual community agencies for updates on current services.

Community Resources Guide (2019)

Download a printable .pdf version of the Community Resource Guide (2019)

Getting to Know Our Support Team

Meet School Social Worker and District Community Outreach Liaison Sheila Johnson-Kolb. Ms. Johnson-Kolb works with students and families at Rice Elementary and with the Sauk Rapids-Rice school community to address family changes, grief and loss, student struggles with peer relationships and mental health concerns. She also works to help families find the resources they need to meet their basic needs.

Ms. Johnson-Kolb is a licensed social worker through the Minnesota Board of Social Work and through the Minnesota Department of Education. She received a masters degree in school social work from St. Cloud State University with an advanced generalist practice focus. Her past experience includes work at the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center, Anna Marie’s Alliance, St. Cloud State University’s Women’s Center, Greater Minnesota Minnesota Family Services and Holdingford Public Schools.

Ms. Johnson-Kolb’s goal is to teach students the skills they need to give them confidence. She believes no one is defined by their challenges! When asked what she loves most about her job, Ms. Johnson-Kolb says, “It is the greatest privilege to be trusted by students and families with their vulnerabilities and struggles. Is is simply an honor to be able to assist others as they journey through life.”

When asked how families and students can reduce stress during challenging times, Ms. Johnson-Kolb says self-care is really important. “As a parent myself, I would advise other parents to make sure they carve out time for themselves and find a minutes to engage in something enjoyable each day.” Her advice is similar for students. “Make sure you are doing something fun each day to take your mind off of things that are anxiety-provoking or emotionally difficult.” Routines and structure are also important for both students and caregivers. “We need to know what to expect each day and having this allows us to learn how to get good at something.”

Ms. Johnson-Kolb lives in Sauk Rapids with her husband and three daughters, two dogs and two cats. She came “home” to work in the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District after she had children of her own. “I have a strong desire to invest in my community where my children will attend school.” In her free time, Ms. Johnson-Kolb enjoys watching Packer football, going 4-wheeling, making quilts and spending time at the cabin in Wisconsin.

Ms. Johnson-Kolb encourages families to reach out if they are struggling. “True strength is being brave enough to talk about what is a challenge and what is going on inside and to begin working on what’s difficult. Please consider reaching out to your building school social worker. We may not have answers for you, but we always care enough to try to find the resources you need and give you a listening ear.”